Composting is easy but you have to have those activators that have the correct bacteria in them to get the compost composting... That means green stuff... Brown stuff don't have it... So if yer composting leaves ya' gotta throw some grass clippings in, as well...
Watch out for manure'... Lots has lots of undigested seed i it which mean when you use the compost on yer garden you are atucally planting unwanted seeds... Horse manure is famous for carrying seed... If you have a real "hot" compost ppile a nliitle horse manure is okay 'cayse the compost will burn 'um up... But manure, in general, ain't all that necessary to make good compost...
You can get compost starter which has bateria in it... A box will last you a life time...
Remember... Green has bateria in it so be sure that you use yer grass clippings... Also be sure to turn your compost regularially...