Welcome to the world of scratch-building. It's a lot of fun.

Royal kits do typically have a lot of small blocks and pieces to be glued together and shaped with a plane or sanding block. Since you're, in effect, designing your own kit, you can do it your own way which may be easier. Royal kits/plans make very pretty airplanes.

First thing is to obtain a cheap source of good wood. Check Balsa USA, Lone Star, and Superior Balsa.

Look over the plans and determine, as best you can, what sizes and amounts of wood you need. Develop a bill of material.

Make your own kit. Cut whatever shape parts you need. Sort the rest of it by size.
Some parts will be used as is, like stringers and sheets. Other parts, like ribs, will need to be cut. I use a 1/16" plywood template for this.

Now you're ready to build. I recommend starting on the tail surfaces first, then the wing and finally the fuselage. Go slowly to avoid building yourself into a corner, i.e. glueing in the firewall before installing the engine mount blind nuts.

Good luck with it and keep us posted.

Dr.1