I am finding a lot of good stuff in the books I am reading, and they  are helping me. So I guess your mileage may vary. Reading William Berrhardt's Red Sneakers Writing Series right now. So far, a lot of the information is the same. But for someone who never did "study" creative writing (though I have read a lot, couldn't even hazard a guess at the number of books I have read), having some signposts along the way is proving beneficial. I'm thinking I might actually finish this one (the story) and might even have my first novel some 35 years after I first thought this was something I would like to do.

Anyone else do an outline like Lara? I'm no good with that, even having trouble with idea of a 3 Act Structure; though I am getting better with that.

At least I  am moving forward, in kind of an outline, gathering scenes and necessary plot points that I can order and or re-order as I see fit. And learning more about my  characters and how they relate to and reflect the story I am trying to tell.