Hi @kaerpediem. Wow, I'm so thrilled for you that you are working on a novel. That is a big undertaking! You can do it.
I am not a novelist, myself, at least yet. I have toyed with novel ideas, but so far I have focused primarily on short stories as I am not in a place in my life where I can devote the time to a large project. So, I am not the best person to advise you on plotting a novel.
That said, I personally believe that you should have a pretty good idea where your novel is heading. You mentioned that you read my tips posts. (Yay!) This one in particular might help you: https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/writing-tip-of-the-week-24-what-are-plotters-and-pantsers
See the section about converting from a pantser to a plotter. There's a nice article reference there. And the video is awesome too.
Good luck!
Just toying with the idea (kinda seriously- but nervous as hell and don't even know I have what it takes)
Since it is already the 1st hahahaha - maybe next year
Gives me some time to figure it out though I know not everybody gets their first one anywhere close to being noticed haha
But, I am off to read plotter/pantsers
Thank you Jayna ❤️
There are other options for getting published besides the traditional one, of course! :-)