Summarize your story/arc-Get that notebook out and start planning. In only a couple of sentences tell what your story is about.
Keep going by think about these items below:Define your characters motivations/arc
Define your story's plot
Outline your story by scenes quickly-What is gonna happen along the way
Fill in more on the outline even the little things...ideas you have, things that could and should happen
Now begin writing a scene that is very strong even if out of order. I know this may totally toss plotters off a bit but hang with me here. Write a scene you vividly see from beginning to end. The idea here is that it must be an impact full scene that you are excited about...that's the key to each scene. Honestly, that scene that you know already must be worth it or it wouldn't have been in your thoughts. So write it. Don't worry about typos and every tiny detail....just get it typed or written.
Now that you have it...that could be the starting point of your book or maybe it is somewhere in the middle. Now build around it. Pansters this may be easier for you unless like plotters you write in order or plan well before writing. Plotters just work with it. Or maybe that opening is your first major cool scene. Work with that if it feels better.
So for starters just get the basics of the scene down. Then go back and fluff for better sentences, better words. Better dialogue. Better setting etc. This is still rough draft. Don't spend time here making everything perfect.
Some have asked how long a scene or chapter should be. Thoughts and ideas can vary. I go for 3500 to 5K for a chapter. Every story is different.
Things to think about with that first scene/chapter:
1. Opening Line. This needs to grab readers right away. Bam what happened or is about to happen. Suck that reader in. If you have a boring first line you will lose readers.
2. Get the words down in the first chapter. Let your mind and fingers flow. THIS IS NOT TIME TO EDIT OR CLEAN UP. This is just keep writing until this scene has all you wanted in it.
3. Look back. Yep permission granted to give it a quick read and correct but no lingering for long. Does this chapter hit with a bang? Does it hold your attention? If not it wont hold the reader. Up the ante if not. Time to add more if needed. Or let it sit for a few days so you can think on things. Do not skip writing days just work on another scene for your hour a day.
