I am not sure that I don’t see other writers the similar way you describe long lasting friends. The thing is the first time you come across a new writers you are taking their writing at face value. But that story you have read leaves an impression with you. It would take a strong mind to forget or ignore your reaction to the foibles or prejudices that you discover in that story. So the next story you read from that author will be tainted by that first experience and so goes the reading each and every time.