So many of these "author autopsy" books are written from the perspective of success in the Big 5 Lumber Mills, or it wouldn't be published by one of the Big 5 Lumber Mills. Taking these authors' advice should be carefully considered from that perspective.
That said, you are spot on about people wanting to read about human interactions. The selling point of almost all popular and lasting fiction are the human interactions, not the cruft around them. That is just the set dressing, not the heart of the play.
Indeed, the human interaction parts were a big revelation to me. I thought my "big" episodes would be the ones with fights, battles, intrigue--ACTION. But I've come to find out that many of my readers like the "common" scenes: two characters talking, a group in a store, a conversation around a table, etc. Blows my mind.
This was really encouraging. I'm writing a mystery and I worry it's not terribly clever, that readers will see the villians too soon. I am much more confident that the various characters are interesting, and that will keep readers hooked!
So many of these "author autopsy" books are written from the perspective of success in the Big 5 Lumber Mills, or it wouldn't be published by one of the Big 5 Lumber Mills. Taking these authors' advice should be carefully considered from that perspective.
That said, you are spot on about people wanting to read about human interactions. The selling point of almost all popular and lasting fiction are the human interactions, not the cruft around them. That is just the set dressing, not the heart of the play.
Indeed, the human interaction parts were a big revelation to me. I thought my "big" episodes would be the ones with fights, battles, intrigue--ACTION. But I've come to find out that many of my readers like the "common" scenes: two characters talking, a group in a store, a conversation around a table, etc. Blows my mind.
This was really encouraging. I'm writing a mystery and I worry it's not terribly clever, that readers will see the villians too soon. I am much more confident that the various characters are interesting, and that will keep readers hooked!
Some of my fave books are very low concept. Here’s one:
https://thadcarhart-writer.com/events/books/the-piano-shop-on-the-left-bank/
Interesting! Gives more legitimacy to the audience who wanted more "Avengers eating shawarma" instead of constant action and fights.