This has been loitering in my mind for a few years and I always wanted to try it, but, quite frankly, I doubted my ability was up to the task.
However, the idea has been gestating away for a bit now and I think I have the outline for a plan (and more importantly, the ability) to make it a reality.
Having read the threads;
https://storiesonline.net/d/s1/t5024/adding-support-for-interactive#po94697
https://storiesonline.net/d/s1/t10906/removal-of-multi-author#po182518
https://storiesonline.net/d/s6/t10727/how-to-post-an-interactive
I agree to the possibility, that the biggest reason why no-one writes interactive stories, is because no-one really knows how to, and that maybe once a few are submitted, people will catch onto it. Possibly.
Anyhow, I did read that you are thinking of removing support, so has this now happened or is it on a 'to-do' list?
One function that was mentioned, which makes sense, but may be impossible to implement technically (I have no idea), was that the writer has some way to keep track of the choices people make ie, 85 people chose option B, 300 people chose option C and 5 thousand chose option D... This would allow the writer to spend more time on the direction the majority of readers wish to go, and less on the route that has no, to very little, interest by the readership.
Another comment you made, was that there is a minimum word requirement. What is that limit? I ask because if it's three thousand words, then that rules out simple "If you want to go left, click on the blue link", "If you want to go right, click on the red link". "Fight the spider/taxman/shark/spouse, click on the X link." "Runaway and not fight, click the Y link." Sort of choice.
