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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/3059
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/3059
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I've got a _lot_ to say in response to this, but I won't get around to it in the next 24 hours. Until then:

- _The Jane Austen Book Club_ has a structure _extremely_ similar to what you're describing. (Other ensemble casts I can think of are more typical of series, but this book is an exception, methinks.)
- There's a roleplaying game which revolves precisely around the structure you're interested in, called [_Primetime Adventures_](http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/13/13243.phtml). It's exactly what you've described: parallel story arcs for an ensemble cast, intertwining and interacting, with each character getting the spotlight at a different point. The book discusses this structure enough (particularly pointing out its strengths and advantages) that I think you'll find it valuable even without any interest in the roleplaying game itself. 
- I'll expand on this when I have time, but my nutshell reaction is: the structure itself is great, but cramming even small developments for all 7 characters into each and every chapter sounds very dense and difficult to pull off. I'd leave myself more leeway if I were you: more than 7 chapters if you need 'em; not having _every_ character develop in _every_ chapter.
- Also, figure out where the climax goes in this structure. If it's during a single character's focus chapter - might that unbalance your structure, making that character more important and significant?

Original score: 7