I am noticing a marked drop off in interest (based on views, likes and comments) as I get deeper into this story. I realize it's deeper than most stories on the site (and my attempts to get more authors involved for branches haven't worked so far). I have an actual story planned out which is coming close to completion, but I am worried that by the time I get there no one will be reading. Is it too much? Is the length scaring people off?
I see this life cycle: 1) Your story is new, people are popping in for the first time, they're throwing favorites and likes on there, possibly. 2) Your story isn't that new any more but you've still got your devoted fans who will read each chapter. They liked the early stuff and they're still coming back. 3) As time goes on, all kinds of things happen. The people who favorited your story favorite others and start to prioritize those. The people who favorited your story drop off the site. You yourself might take a long break (Lord knows we need that some times). Whatever the case people drop the routine of revisiting it, intentionally or otherwise. So basically, unless you can give it a shot of hype somehow, I think its inevitable that a deep story ends up looking abandoned in those later legs. I'm not sure of good ways to get people checking those latest chapters specifically. I think that's just going to be a function of getting more people through the door and thrilling them on. That's it's own problem, depending on things like the broadness of your story's appeal and whether it has means of exposure, like you spread it around yourself. Maybe you could try drumming up some interest by trying out new, somewhat related stories and saying "by the way, if you like this, be sure to also check out my other story!" and providing a link? Not sure... I haven't had a lot of success getting this second wind, by any means. Maybe try thinking of your favorite very long stories and what they do to keep you engaged? If you're like me... you may realize that, hypocritically, you can probably count the number of giant stories you actually have read all the way through on one hand. Best of luck to you!
Looking at the story, Rewarded, you're already getting in the vein of 5-10 likes just on chapters released today, which is rather nice considering they're at depth 70. On top of that, based on views, I would estimate you've got 40-50 readers sufficiently keen to read your content straight after it's uploaded. I was going to jot down a few ideas for you, but frankly, I don't think you have anything to worry about. More people see chapter 6 than chapter 60, and that's just the way it is. It's not a problem with your story.
Your writing style is really good, my man. You do a great job with descriptive detail and dialogue, and there's enough humor and detail without it feeling slow at all. To be honest, this is some of the best writing I've seen on this site. So, bravo. However, I find the lack of options in your story a little disconcerting! I especially feel like a few branches at the start would boost readers' sense of involvement. (You can also even just link to future events you think readers might like to get to earlier). That's really the only thing I'd like to see of in this story besides more of it!
I have a core storyline I am working on. I am leaving tons of hooks but no one else is jumping in. You can't count on one author to write 15 different variations themselves.
To be fair, you can, but only over a very long time and probably not to a depth of 70. I personally think you have plenty of content. Other authors probably aren't jumping in because the broad idea behind your story is a dime a dozen on CHYOA; I mean, your default name is literally John Doe. Your story is entertaining because you're a good writer, but that's not an aspect of the story other authors will necessarily care about - in fact, I imagine some would be intimidated, because they know their contributions would be obviously inferior to yours.
Part of the problem could be your subject matter. I don't want to be overly critical, but your main character basically gets ultimate power in the first chapter, with very few limitations, and then he barely even questions using it to brainwash some teenager into dumping her boyfriend and fucking him instead. It's fun to read about someone just hedonistically abusing the power to control the universe to a point but if there's no stakes or narrative conflict and your character can resolve any problems with a thought there's only so far a story can stretch. Your story's well-written and entertaining enough but I can only read so much of someone getting everything he wants before I get bored and I don't think I'm the only person who'd feel that way.
