Sticking to the plot is what I always used to do. In fact I sort of took it to be the end all be all of dreaming ability, until I found dreamviews and discovered all these other things that are possible. I always tried to keep moving as well. Trying to never let the plot or my vision stagnate or get stuck.

I snapped out of it in my last decent LD, saying to myself, "Ok get serious!" Very glad I did, a LD can be very pleasant and suck you in but I found that working on dream goals was much more fulfilling in the end.

So yes it works either way. And I would think being able to go lucid and stay with the plot and chill would be a sign of a skilled dreamer.