I gather material until I have enough to base a book on, then I do a synopsis. Then I write the novel. I hope you will take this one step at a time. Too many people think you can just sit down and write a novel. None of us would think we could pick up a violin and play it right away without some instruction, or some practice.
Writing is the same.
Meg Ref 353. Meg, I'm back. I just finished the screenplay adaptation course. You are right, I am going to stick with novels first. Will you please explain about small presses.