Why do people write long copy? It is not because their readers read it all! People write long stories for the same reason that restaurants that serve big portions get customers lining up at their doors. They are creating the illusion that their meal is cost effective. A long story suggests that there is a lot to say. The American society teaches that more is better and you are not going to single handedly change that. Instead, go with the flow -- use the illusion and write long emails, long a.