The device can be a little inscrutable when you're trying to generate a story from scratch. IMO, what it's best at is bringing life and action into a story where not enough is happening, and the stuff that is happening is boring. Elements that resolve together too quickly don't leave room for any story to happen. Sometimes you really do need to throw in the kitchen sink, or a can of pickled beets, or a couple of raccoons, or the Evil Overlord's accountant, if for no other reason than to give your characters something to talk about.

-tnh