Id strongly suggest taking violin lessons. (you may even get a good deal from a music student) but its best to get personal instruction on holding the instrument properly - and basic fingering and bowing. You can get music books, but most of them assume a certain level of ability -. (I find that instruction books that come with cds or recordings are the best)

if you can find other people in your area who are intersted in playing fiddle music would be a good step too.(preferably - you want to play with people who are the same level as you or a little better) check out nearby (fiddle festivals) but most of all listen to recordings (as much as you can because written music will not convey stylistic information) petr