Writer's Advice and Feedback Group discussion

I am about to start my fourth novel, but it's my first time taking a crack at one since high school.

In the past, I have always just started writing with a vague idea of where the plot was headed - and I think that's because my past novels were so character driven. Now I have a much more elaborate idea in my head (no longer the high school girl-meets-girl type of book), but I don't know where to start.

Or should I say, when to start.

Writers: do you start with a vague idea and run with it? Or do you plan everything out? I need help.

Start where everything goes wrong.

I tend to start with a vague idea which I turn into a very rough outline and then I start writing from there. I then firm up the outline based on how the writing progresses. Once in a while things take off in completely unexpected directions and I have to revise the outline.