early game strategic question

[MythicalMino]

In the early game, what do you all do as far as expansion is concerned?

Do you colonize, secure and set up initial defenses in your home planet? or do you search and colonize planets in as many systems as you can?

My current game (which is like most every other game, I am sure), I have my homeworld, a hospitable planet (which I have colonized), and 3 colonizable planets (in which I have colonized 1 so far). There is a couple of hospitable planets in other systems. I am debating on colonizing the other 2 planets in my home system, then expanding into other systems in the quadrant. What are your views and opinions?

Thanks

p.s. I am thinking also of trying my hand at some fiction for this game. Not sure though. I still have MUCH to learn about the game. But, I am taking some notes though, which in a way helps me organize my thoughts and overall strategy....But, like i said, not sure if i am ready to actually write anything...Would you guys rather see my turn by turn notes? or a full-blown story??