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I think, when you start, that you will quickly find that even the smallest idea can fill 100.000 words or more. Remember, you have stasis to work through at the beginning, as well as change throughout, and justification, and resolution, and a continuing thesis. It all adds up. And anyway, who says a work has to be of a certain length. I suggest a quick read of The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza by Lawrence Block. It is only about 65000 words, but all I can say is WOW. I learned so much from it that it has changed the way I write forever.
Perhaps you could try making a block diagram of your plot ideas, so that you can see which are related, which are missing, and which are not necessary. It is a great way to see exactly how things might develop, and if necessary, where you can add length.
I always start with an idea, then do a Mind Map ( see the Tony Buzan books), then I move on to spider grams or block diagrams ( you can also do this for each chapter). Then I work a little on character. But nothing is ever set in stone.
Milhouse.
I've been writing down some ideas for my next project, but the last two have developed, as Milhouse said, organically, I started writing and carried on from there. I didn't plan a thing. The second was possibly a little easier because it was a sequel to the previous one, and the protagonist was a minor character in that one who I wanted to develop. I felt she had more to tell, and she did (lots, in fact).
Every writer works differently, and no doubt you'll get lots of different replies here, as well, but the only way to find out what's best for you is to do what you feel is right and trust your instincts.
You seem to be making unneccesary work for yourself by worrying about detail instead of setting your words down.
The only way that octopus will settle into the shoebox is by you killing and dissecting the poor thing. Stop restricting it, give it space to undulate within a contained area. Try studying one tentacle at a time. General outline of features then move on,doing the same to each in turn. Alternatively, describe the nucleus of the body then work outwards.
I wrote my first full length novel starting with a tiny, tiny idea that wasn't big enough to see. I wrote at the top, Chapter One. Then I carried on writing until I wrote The End. (I had a few breaks in between, obviously, I had to eat and sleep etc). But at no time did I ever need to stop and think about or analyse my characters and what they were doing or why, they just came alive in my head as I wrote and their story unfolded.
There are lots of ways different authors write, I know for me that I have to be really strict with myself or it never gets done, I set deadlines, like 2,000words tonight before bed. Or, I will write between 2 and 4 this afternoon. I spend every minute of that time writing. Some people spend a while plotting, sub-plotting and making character notes before they start writing. Others will give different advice but what really counts is what YOU need to do to get YOUR book written. Good luck with it! Go for it.
I can't remember when, but last year, I reviewed what I'd done, and decided it wasn't working as I had hoped. The other character, called Samantha, was just far too important to sometimes be in the novel. She demanded to be the focal point, and today, she very much is. I scrapped 3 characters to get where I am with the novel today. I think they could be used for another story. They just didnt fit with what I was writing.
I have been writing the novel for a year now, and a huge amount has changed since I penned the first word. From experience, I would say it is fairly pointless to plan ahead with a novel, as so much can change. I made cue cards for mine months ago, and a lot has changed since creating them.
I'm a believer in letting the characters dictate what happens. If you try to tame them, and point them in another direction, what you will have won't be an honest piece of writing. It is their world, and in a way, I have no right to tell them how they should lead their daily lives. What I can do though is show everybody those lives, which is more than enough for me.
Now don't think you can leave us behind. Most enjoy exhileration so don't be surprised to see many cadging a ride in your rocket's wake.
Good writing!