Help with Mods

I am thinking of creating a Mod for battlefield 1942, well was, because speaking to a friend he just laughed at me. So, after many hours lookin on the net i have come here to ask:

Where is the best place to start when creating mods. what programs do i need etc. etc. how hard and boring is it and is it possible in the near future, for someone of 14yrs of age with no previous programming skills to create a mod?????????