Lots of good advice has already been given (that is, go to the experts and take it slow), but I’d add that coming here with one question at a time is a great way to learn. Be wild with the theory, try crazy things to see what works and what doesn’t, ask questions, make assertions, don’t be afraid to experiment and take the theory new places, don’t be afraid to be wrong. Just be open minded enough to listen to others and accept that something you’re trying to do might be wrong even if you can’t see why just yet. And when people tell you you can’t do something with the theory, explain where you’re coming from so they can better explain where they think you’re going off track. Be willing to be told you’re off track, but get good answers on why you are. You will learn more and, often, the folks explaining it to you will get something out of it too.
And don’t question the theory too much until you get a good feel for it. Trust it for a while. Then question everything about it.
Regarding the theory itself, in no particular order:
1 realize that the terms themselves are all approximations for the ideas they’re trying to convey. ( Commonly Misunderstood Definitions - #11 by chuntley - Dramatica )
2 realize that the terms are all referring to processes. It’s not enough to say ‘John obtained the map’. You need to explore the process John of coming into or maintaining possession of the map.
3 Related to 2, learn how to encode conflict. You don’t need paragraphs to do this, but you do need more than just a mention of the Dramatica term. Being conscious of an itch isn’t a problem. Being conscious of an itch causing one to fail a test is. ( From Conflict to Storyform - writing - Dramatica )
4 make it a point to think of your story in terms of a Storymind and it’s perspectives rather than as events that happen to characters
5 know what it is you want to say with your story
6 I started not to put this one, but I will. Be cognizant of the function of the level you’re working on. Not sure how much others do this, but it helps me to keep in mind when I’m working at the genre level vs the plot, theme, or character level. The processes of encoding each is pretty much the same for me, but there’s a big difference in treating an encoding as a plot and treating one as a theme when writing it.