@DuskOfDay what I do is try to put myself as the character in the world. Rather than being on the side watching everything play out, I imagine that I’m really there as my character and I’m seeing the world myself. A lot of what I do is read avatar wiki to learn more about the culture and cities. I try to bring out details and give my characters side adventures to add more to the story. The hardest thing is changing the story line, but if you do it in a gradual way where it’s not confusing and sudden then your readers believe the character development more. I’m my tale of Amara, I couldn’t have Zuko immediately join the group without giving him conflicting thoughts and a reason to want to betray the other side. The same with my blazing Crystal story. Bottom line, don’t be afraid to change certain things but keep the story similar. I’ve manipulated conversations from the original show just to make sure my characters are involved. The one thing that makes a story by the script is when your character doesn’t have a voice, their own reactions, and their own skills to add to the group. Hope this helps.