How to start writing...?

[Flingmoo]

I always loved writing up until my teenage years until I stopped around age 18. Since then I've always wanted to write novels or short stories but haven't had the motivation to get started as perfectionism and lack of confidence gets in the way. It doesn't help that one of my close friends is a prolific writer. I can see that all she's done since childhood is write, write, write, thousands of words a day, and I feel that in comparison I'm a total novice.

I know it's a stupid question but how should I start? I've got a few ideas for premises of novels but find it hard to flesh out a full story and characters. Should I literally just start writing and see where it takes me or do I need a plan/plot outline to work to?

Thinking of doing NaNoWriMo - if I can fit this in around looking after my 5mo!

I have a horrid imagination which constantly scares myself at night, spooking myself out imagining bizarre and grotesque things happening in the house. I wonder if I should use this as fuel for a horror genre piece?

[Brassrubbing]

What do you want out of this, Mamushka? Do you want to rekindle your delight in an old hobby or work towards publication? Can you find a local writers' group? Or there are lots of online forums. Other people get their start writing fan fiction online. Do you want to write horror? Do you read it?