Yes you're right there, authors do that all the time and even take on pseudonym names, some even leave it a complete mystery right up until they die or beyond, so as long as there's no harm in doing it then I say all good.

Some friendships can sustain long periods with no contact and can pick up where they left off, others can't. I think it depends on the people and the nature of the friendship. I have friends that I don't see for years but am filled with joy and love every time I do see them and I doubt that will ever change while other people I will try to stay in contact with and they just don't want to reciprocate so I stop bothering.