Just how often do you have one, lol?
The one I had that turned into HiU eventually was only one of two total in ten years. *ggg*
It took me also two years to find a new job though after the big crisis of 2008 caused my original employer to go down. I dunno about Romney, he talks much but is actually someone who destroyed many jobs in the past as "ruthless business man" and in several other fields he seems to be more oriented towards the fifties in policy, like many of the Republicans today it seems. Obama also tried but didn't get much done because the Republicans were often blockading him and he showed some lack of assertiveness.
Comments from readers serve as a real good motivator.
Yep, that's the schedule I found to be the most fitting to cater to all four main issues: 1st give the beta some time to do her work, 2nd gives me time to format the text and arrange stuff with my work and other things in Real Life, 3rd give those readers who can't jump directly on the new chapter some time to read and possibly comment on it and 4th give those readers eager for continuation a set timeframe to when to expect the next entry.
When I look at some stories at FF.net (or also here) which do not get updated for months that's something I would want to prevent.
As for characters I do not really get the question, but in terms of chapters I have finished chapter 47 not long ago. The high amount of chapters is mostly due to the single chapter being rather short in text (around 1.600 to 2.200 words per chapter).