I had a similar experience to Trick.
When I started writing my first book, I found myself writing references that made me more interested in telling an earlier story. Now my first wip is really going to be a much later book in a series.
I would recommend at least outlining your original...
You could use the passage of time as a guide if you're having trouble.
If the overall timing of your book takes place continuously, with hourly descriptions of the characters progress, make a chapter what takes place over a day. If something really important happens, you can break it down...
Have you tried writing down anything that happens in your world before your story takes place? Having sessions where you write a myth or creation story can be enormously helpful when writing your first draft. Even an event that happens right before your book begins can be useful as a resource...
As an avid tea drinker, I love this idea! I would recommend you also look up "tisane" as an alternative. I use tisane instead of tea in my books. Tisane is herbal tea-it's throwing herbs, spices and plants in water. I like the ideas of having it be sacred in order to create a magic source...
I started reading the Drizzt novels recently, so I can see your frustration! It's still fresh in my mind as well.
The suggestions of choosing flags or a symbol that in your world is associated with wealth and power are good ones. There needs to be a way for readers to recognize the...