Planning for me will encompass a backstory, a general plan for the number and types of maps I intend to produce, and a lot of thought.

Additionally, as has been discussed elsewhere, I have always used MS Paint to do my maps. I recently downloaded GIMP and started playing with it. I guess planning then will also include the decision to stay with the tried-and-true or make the leap to the newest technology.

As I see it, there is one advantage and one disadvantage to switching to GIMP right now. Adv: More powerful application will make the process that much faster for me allowing me to accomplish more in four hours than otherwise possible. Disadv: Rather than jumping right into the challenge now, I'll have to spend a bunch of time getting familiar with new software. Considering my impatience to get going, that is quite a large disadvantage.