RRs are handed out to stories that deserve them. period. i have handed them out to friends as well as to people i've never spoken with before. a little history - the RR was developed in order to showcase some writers who are excellent and haven't gotten the exposure that some of those more outgoing have gotten - we keep that in mind. for every "friend or fellow mod" that i've given an RR to (and i think that Dancing Doll's were well earned, as were Jaymal's, quite honestly) i've made it a point to give one to someone whom i admire and have never even spoken to. That's why you'll see RRs on people like TamLin or Feather Watt or Metilda or Alexanrda A - excellent writers who are either new to the site or have flown under the radar here.
yes, when it was first introduced, a lot of us made it a point to honor some of the older writers who deserved them in the past - now, though, it's more a matter of reading a new story and being so wowed that you want to do more than just leave a comment - btw, if i give something an RR - i always leave a vote and comment. that's fairly common practice among the mods when they are able.
so, to answer your underlying question, OMKN - no, they are not based on favoritism - feel free to compare my friends list to the RR list if you have the time. you'll find my friends woefully under-represented. and please, in the future, if you have an accusation to make, be direct. i'm not fond of insinuations.
Her Royal Spriteness
You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.
