I have not undertaken any creative writing since my early teens.  I haven't even read much fiction in the last 10 years.  So this whole 'writing' business is new and refreshing to me and I'm buzzing off it!  I am currently working as a technical writer; I have a wealth of experience concerning the precision of writing, but very little in terms of creativity.  I have an idea for a novel but don't want to dive in and ruin it by being an amateur.  Best to start practising with some short stories first I think.