User blog comment:Zathronas/Author's Advice: Complication/@comment-16763585-20140127215035/@comment-16763585-20140128173001

Well deriving that loose structure helps to keep the story on track and not deviate from the original intention, and it gives solid goalposts for the narrative. I have to admit to using a five point structure for my recent story, and it really helps to turn a story from a messy pile of scenes to a well paced sequence of events. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like there should be a story for every character in the narrative, even if it isn't focused on.

Taking that Ruby time traveling as an example, what if instead of Ruby, we were to put Ozpin in that situation. They share the time time and place, but what does Ozpin want? How does he go about fufilling those desires? Do they affect Yang or Qrow in some way? What sort of stresses does he deal with and how does he cope with said stresses? Who is Ozpin?

The reader might never get that information since it isn't important to the reader, but it can still be seen in the story. Maybe Ozpin is worried about his retirement, and copes with it by closing off from people, being less noticeable. Maybe he's writing a story himself looking to get published, but hasn't gotten a company to take the risk.

Everyone is the main character in their own story, and all their stories intertwine with each other to create a novel.