Being a first time writer

I had always heard that it's a difficult prospect to even begin a first book, and indeed it was. However, I personally found it much easier to begin with an outline. I outlined my characters, a general premise, setting, and did a chapter by chapter rundown. I don't think that authors would have such a hard time if they did it this way. Much easier than starting out with a blank page and trying to fill it for 50,000 words! :)