I think paper peicing can be wonderful for a beginner. Do a several practice pieces from Carol Doaks web site , as suggested earlier, using scrap fabric. It took me a few to get the hang of it( it was the flipping part) , but once I did ... no stopping.. just kept looking for more and more patterns.
It does take more time, so if you are looking for a quick method , paper piecing is not it. But if you are looking for amazing results that are next to impossible to achieve any other way , especially for a beginner, go for it. Look for patterns that have larger pieces, no curves, and starch your fabrics prior to cutting.