Before any story can start you need your characters. Just start with one. What do they look like? What makes their appearance special, or are they just plain and boring? How do they talk; sarcasm, soft voice, husky deep voice, bright chirping or bubbly talkativeness? What are their flaws? Their talents? Their dreams/goals? Their interests and dislikes? Their pet peeves and what makes them light up? Who is their love interest? Their enemy? Their best friend or relative or who give them their drive? Of course, you may just write out over a page on a character and you may not use all the information on that character in the book, but it builds a person. People need to feel like your character is real and that they are more than just a he said or a she said.
Then pick your point of view (POV). If you are using first person it's a little more involved because you have to convey thoughts and emotions and every aspect of the character from their eyes. You have to kind of become your character when writing in first person. If you use third person POV then you have a little more liberty. You can voyage through the thoughts and emotions and actions of every character and you can put a different interpretation on it whenever you want. These are the only two POV's I would suggest using.
The Word Of The Day According To Me!
Obsequious (adj): obedient, dutiful, fawning, servilely compliant.
http://www.teacherspetnj.com/basicobedience.htm
