A HELPFUL WRITING BOOK

A wonderful book I read which has helped with my planning is called "The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers" by Christopher Vogler.

It is similar to Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces"

It analyzes many stories and breaks them down into a consistent formula that the protagonist usually follows.
Here is an abbreviated version for your convenience

Main Character is called by fate to go on a journey and reluctantly crosses the first point of no return. There they begin their quest where they learn from the many tests and characters along the way. Then the protagonist reaches the darkest point of the story where they have a near death situation that transforms them. After that they receive the reward and return home but not without facing one more ordeal. This last ordeal fully transforms them into a hero. Finally they return home with some proof of their journey.

And that my friends is a summed up version of the "Writer's Journey"