As a writer, your most important tools are your ideas. For first-timers, it may be best to write from personal experience while you get more comfortable with creating "character voices." Novels are lengthy books, usually over 150 pages with multiple chapters. Writing a story this long or longer requires some degree of character development and some kind of conflict. Before you even start writing, have an idea of where you want the story to go, important events along the way, and the backstories of your main characters. Use this information to write an outline, which will help you lay out plot points and coordinate chapters.
All you really need to write a novel is a pencil and some paper---but to get that novel published, you'll need much more than that. A computer or word processor is essential, because editors will expect a typed manuscript. The Internet has made it easier for you to reach editors directly, by emailing your manuscript to them. When you do this, it is important that you have an up-to-date resume and query letter. Most publishers have very specific rules for submitting a manuscript, and it is important that you follow these guidelines so they do not ignore your submission.
Getting into the habit of writing may be the most important part of becoming a successful writer. NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org), is a great tool for beginners in that it offers a support network that stresses production first and forming the habit of producing on a daily basis. Writer's Market (writersmarket.com) may be the definitive list of publishing companies and markets. This book comes out yearly and tells you who is buying books and how much they are paying. The Passionate Pen (passionatepen.com) has a frequently updated list of romance novel publishers. Romance Writers of America (rwanational.org) is a non-profit trade association for writers of romance novels. They offer development workshops as well as statistical information on the industry. Writers.net has an active forum for writers needing advice or feedback. Finally, for new writers---or anyone needing a little advice on how to make the best submission possible---check out Gamlingay Writers' guide to agent submissions (gamlingaywriters.org.uk).