As a writer (no stories posted here but two poems and maybe more), I can tell you that there are no greater rewards than knowing someone has read your work, thought something while reading it, and then again thought it worthy of comment. If not for that, why write?

One can imagine there are people reading your work but every once in a while confirmation of that fact seems to fan the flames of creativity. Or, that may just be the Leo in Me. lol

Anyway, good question, and, if you ever get to read something of mine, please, feel free to comment.