Does story length affect comments?

I personally agree that it is more about having the attention of your reader. Shorter attention spans like shorter stories. I personally love longer stories, especially one that have that "Hook" that grabs the reader. Length isn't what gets people to comment. Having them hook, line, and sinker does. I haven't read one of your stories yet. But, if you write in my interest area, and your story grabs me, I'm a fan for life.

I have actually done this in several of my comments. Referencing previous commenters and agreeing with what they have said. I can see where several comments stating the same thing, positive or negative could be very useful feedback.

Thank you, that's flattering to hear--well, actually read. I do put considerable effort into commenting on stories, especially ones I find compelling while reading them, and I appreciate that being recognized.

To be blunt about it while quoting numerous operatives of KAOS (from the 1960s television program "Get Smart!"), "I find that very difficult to believe" when a person claims that after reading a story of several thousand words, he/she couldn't find anything at all in it to comment upon, or felt uncomfortable about repeating some other commenter's remarks on it.

As other posters to this thread have pointed out, repetition of the same reactions to certain aspects of a story by more than one reader, that's information which could be useful to the author in his/her future writing.

Of course, I would venture that a thoughtful, incisive comment should be acknowledged by the author with a popup-box "thank you," I've sometimes wondered if receiving such responses to comments from a particular author would encourage readers to read and comment upon other stories of his/hers...

--C.K.

There's a definite correlation, for obvious reasons. Many of the readers simply want to get right to the spanking action with a minimum of setup. A longer story will almost always include more plot and character development, which an impatient reader isn't going to bother with. The sweet spot seems to be about three or four thousand words.

Totally agree, CK. I make a point of replying to all comments - seems no more than basic courtesy.

I invariably send a response, but virtually never (unless that reader was already a friend and correspondent) have I either received a reply to that message, and most seldom have I received any indication that reader went non to read, let alone comment upon, one of my stories anytime soon thereafter. SO my answer would be that no, it doesn't give any such encouragement. Nonetheless, it's the right thing to do.

I don't really see a correlation between the length of my stories and the number of comments. I have had a little back and forth with commenters in the pop-up messages at times, especially if they asked a question and I answered it (which I always try to do). I have had the most back and forth over a story where most of the commenters wished for a different ending.

Like njrick, I'm not clear that responding to comments encourages the commenter to read or comment on more of my stories, but hopefully it at least reminds them that their effort was appreciated, so that they might decide to comment on the next story the read.

I tend not to comment if I didn't enjoy the story, unless I can think of something particular to praise about it anyway. If I liked the story, I definitely comment. My comments aren't that great, but hopefully the authors appreciate them anyhow. Whether or not the author replies to my comment doesn't impact my choice to read more of their stories -- that is based on how much I liked the story and whether their other stories fall into the themes I enjoy.

Anyhow, as authors, I don't think there's much we can do to get more comments. It's more of a site-level thing to encourage people to comment more.

Ditto that.

my comments are usually pretty short a couple of sentences at most. It is not because I do not care it is because writing is more difficult than reading. Length of the story has nothing to do with it I just write what I am thinking at that moment.

I also had the impression that longer stories get less comments, but it's based on no scientific fact whatsoever. I usually comment on most of the stories I read, trying to pass a positive message and if possible original. I don't leave negative messages, I'm not a literary critic and something that I didn't like can be a masterpiece to someone else.

I also always answer the comments in the same spirit they were made. A "Good story" comment will receive a "Thank you" and an insightful comment questioning or praising aspects of my writing will receive an elaborate answer. (Alas, not as elaborate as CrimsonKidCK's whose comments are a delight to read and answer).

And, like most of you, I never received an answer to my rejoinder.