Even if they like it, people will remember the plot twist, the worldbuilding, the gimmick only until they find the next one. But they’ll never, ever forget a character they like.
Catalog
Sam Sykes
Sam Watkins is an American epic fantasy writer who publishes fiction as Sam Sykes. His debut trilogy of novels, the Aeons' Gate series, was appreciated by critics for its characterization and dialogue, and for its deconstruction of standard fantasy tropes, but criticized for its meandering, derivative plot. He is the son of Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander serie
Any story that’s driven by characters will always be met with some discomfort or ire. Characters are emotions and emotions are things we simultaneously crave and would rather not deal with.
It's true you can't teach humor. But it's pretty easy to set up a joke the same way you set up a conflict: put a character in a situation they're not equipped to handle.
I've said this before, but while I'm not huge on 80's references, the general mood of 80's films really stuck with me. The emphasis on friendship being more important than anything and of never backing down in the face of something much bigger than you resonated with me.
DO read books with compelling characters whose choices drive the plot. DON’T tape hornet nests to your hands and call yourself Hornethands Jones.