Hi.
So you'r starting? Nice! I hope you enjoy your new hobby.
I'm not even a neophyte at animation, but, I can give you some advices about two things "not related" to it.
1. Making a good story.
2. Making a good piece of madness.
For the second point, there's anything I can say better than: http://www.newgrounds.com/collection/
madness
Watch.
And, for the first point.. well, I like to read. I'm one of the aliens in human costume who makes everyone be jealous because he knows how to use a book.
You can do two things if you want to make more than "Sticks killing each other for twenty seconds" (But if you'r gonna do the awaited title "Two days of stick fighting", please, do it) before starting to work you need to focus.
You can divide any story in three parts. Introduction, development and outcome.
If you'r missing one, you'r only.. well, you'r just making a whole bunch of sticks killing each other without reason.
I'm not talking about "You killed my father" or "You killed my girl-friend" or anything related or Even close to Twilight.
I'm talking about that you dont really need to explain why the world is nuts. You just need to explain why your character keeps going around killing people.
Got it? You can make the story yourself and make something good out of your brain.
The other way is making any guy to write it down.