Does story length affect comments?

I've recently had two stories listed in the Library (under my author name - Sir Cambornek).

One's about three times the length of the other. Though the longer one has been read, or at least looked at, more often, it's only received two comments to the other story's eleven. I've noticed this trend with other stories - the shorter ones get more comments.

Are readers too tired after reading a long story to comment, do they find it easier to make a relevant comment on a shorter story, or is it just my imagination? Do other authors find the same thing?

Length makes little difference I find. I do believe it is easier to find something to say about a short story as one does not have to wonder if the comment has not been addressed somewhere in a long story and they just missed it.

As a writer I love comments, and at times my hardest work gets very few of them, but readers are funny people. The occasional commenter will only comment if one can raise an point in their mind that lets them express it. If a story seems to answer all the points or questions, sometimes we have to ask ourselves, what did we leave anyone to comment on? Seems strange to say but this is even true with me, and I do make a comment here and there ..LOL.

I think sometimes a longer story causes readers simply not to finish, if it doesn't grab them hard enough, and thus not to comment, whereas it's easier to finish and provide feedback on a shorter story even if it's not one's cup of tea.

Myself, I prefer longer stories, since for me it's much more about the people and the context, buildup, and emotions, not just the description of the spanking itself. (There are, of course, most excellent very short stories, which I enjoy very much.) This tends naturally to lead to longer stories. But I'm sure there are others with precisely the opposite preference: just the whacks, ma'am, not too much backstory and chitchat.

Personally as a reader if the story grabs me then no matter the length i comment.

Many shorter stories that have gripped me, i have so wished were longer.

I must admit that i am now selective about the stories i read, so if i read one then majority of time i comment upon it, to not do so makes me feel uneasy, author makes effort to write, then i should do courtesy of commenting.

With latest loaded stories the content is not identifiable (at least i have not fathomed it), so genre etc has to be guessed, unless of course a author is known only for one genre. In the most recent latest loaded i used the comments of other readers to findout genre of one of your stories, which i then read and commented upon.

Maybe it is modern societies fault wanting everything instantly, so shorter stories favoured, i don't know.

I cannot add a syllable to JessicaK's comment.

I do agree that shorter stories are more likely to be read from end to end and that, this being the case, they will attract more comments.

However, I wonder at times what proportion of readers 'skim-read' and how many really try to seek out the full intended depth of a story. I wonder about the extent to which overlooking nuances that are likely not be picked up during a 'skim-read' influences the readers' motivation to comment.

Well said, RosieCheeks, about the demand for 'instant' satisfaction of appetites that appears to be part and parcel of modern culture.

I tend to read longer stories if I have sufficient time, which is not too often, especially before validation as I don't know the synopsis and orientation. I personally prefer a series so that there are smaller "bites" to read, I can take my time to appreciate each instalment and eagerly follow if it engages my attention. I comment on almost every story I read, sometimes each part of a series even, if I feel inclined and motivated to do so, which tends to be often. As an author, I really appreciate receiving comments so it is only fair for me to comment on those I read. I am encouraged to read stories sometimes based on the comments made by others, so I truly believe comments are invaluable.

I'd think greater length definitely would tend to elicit comments. Oh... you said STORY length. Never mind.

I don't think there are any hard and fast rules for this sort of writing. Length does count. If a comment is longer than the story someone is perhaps overthinking but as that guy whose name I can never remember states "Good Story" doesn't add much to the big picture.
I remember being asked to write an essay of at least 2500 words on some subject at university, but the Prof said that if you can do it with one sentence then by all means give it a shot.
Hemingway Wrote "For Sale, Baby Shoes, Never Worn."
Perfect!

I would assume that whether or not a reader comments on a story would depend mostly on how much he/she enjoys it, regardless of the length. But a longer story with more character development, etc. usually gives the reader more selection of what to comment on and makes it easier to find something to say. So the comments may be longer and more meaningful than just "Good story." Even if they liked it, I think readers may sometimes forgo making a comment if they can't think of more than a polite platitude.

Few people want to open long stories and fewer finish. Not because people don't like long stories, but because the format here isn't one where it's easy to read a long story over a couple of sittings.

So what I do is I take long stories (Such as Arizona Vacation), break it into parts, and send it in as a series. This allows a reader to read it in chunks.