A powerful character requires a powerful response in the reader. Such a character keeps a reader turning the pages. A character driven plot depends on the movement and growth or deterioration of the character for its allure. The joy of fine dialogue is its own reward. You can learn to hear authentically and duplicate conversation.
Dialogue can belie character and further story events through plot.
In my observation, this is a time of explosion and creation not unlike the Renaissance. The computer is making as big a revolution as the printing press did. I am only beginning to fathom the degree of freedom we are creating for ourselves as writers. Structure seems to jump into place when a writer determines who her audience is. Envisioning the audience helps form the story you have to tell.