Hard starting assistance please.

Forgive me, I’m a newly retired cop. Definitely not a mechanic. Not good or have any knowledge base in electrical. Small things I’m good with, but this is above anything I’ve done with electrical. I used the spark plug wire that goes from the coil to the distributor. I used a spark plug in that wire from the coil, and cranked over the motor with the key. I don’t have any tools for this stuff and I’m going out and buying test lights and borrowing multimeters and googling instructions on how to use them. I want to fix this on my own, and am doing my best to listen to the advice given. So please don’t think I’m discounting any advice you guys are giving.
I admire your desire to dive in and get 'er done. Your patience with perps will pay huge dividends here as well as you work with the guys to get to the bottom of this!