Any advice to give....

I agree with the above people. Read a lot and write a lot. Don't do it to get published. Real writers do it for the love of writing and when they are done and think it is good enough they submit it to be published. I am also trying to write a novel because I have this story in me that has to come out but I suffer from horrible writer's block, lol. The story is there but I can't get it from my brain to the paper. But when I read I always find my words for a day or so. I think I need to take my own advice and read more. It is just hard with 4 kids around.

well, for the beginning, just write what you want to write. easily, try to write about yourself, about your daily activities, such as a diary. write it on the book or make a blog on the internet. then read many kinds of books for reference it. when you plan to write a novel, it doesn't have to be a fiction story, why don't you write your experience, a realistic one. just subtitute the character's name and add some improvements into it. i believe, it's gonna be a great novel :) once again, never stop to writing! :) good luck!

I have just started writing and I am doing it on my own inititive so why not write and then see if you can find someone to look it over for you

yeah if know that you have potential to do it then why are you looking here and there... just go for it and see what would be the out come..??