As someone who has finished DS1 over 100 times, I believe a first run of the game should be blind. I'm so glad I didn't use a guide and I'm always jealous when people are on their first playthrough.
Having said that I'll give you a little bit of advice just to get you in the right direction.
Assuming you're out of the Undead Asylum and have landed in Firelink Shrine, take the hill upwards towards the tunnel. Once you see a massive bastard red dragon fly over you, you know you're on the optimal route. Do not go down the hill towards the regenerating skeletons. That's for later. The game does a good job of telling you which direction by how difficult the areas you come across are. If you are getting one shotted, you need to find another route.
Also, taking the Master Key as your starting gift can make things much easier.
Oh, and keep an eye on your equipment weight. If it's too high, you will be 'Fat Rolling' and that's no good for evading enemies.