How do you start a fire?

Don't take it the wrong way.. I live in the country and we are allowed to have a fire in the yard as long as there is a fire pit or fire ring. I don't know what to do to start the fire, what kind wood is needed, how to make a fire pit, etc. Is there a video or something that can help me? I'm not really the outdoorsy type, but I do enjoy sitting by the fire.