Or at least we aren't communicating what we intended. First we have to get them to stick around long enough to hear us out. Telling a story on paper is much like telling it orally. If we use inappropriate language, awkward phrasing, or even poor spelling, we can lose them as surely as if we'd eaten a garlic sandwich on the way to the party, no matter how interesting our subject. Academese may be necessary in a Doctoral dissertation, but not in a love letter, even one intended for a well educated audience.
Writers tend to be long-winded.
We like the sound of our words. Some, like me, have trouble knowing when to end the message. We need to remember that we are asking our audience to spend something valuable, their time, to listen. When you've said what you wanted to say, it's time to quit. Hopefully our story has been told well enough to hold their attention, and maybe they'll be willing to come back for more, and even tell their friends to tune in.