When I started to play my fingers hurt really bad and I wasn't able to keep them pointing straight down as you're supposed to. I smashed my fingers when I was younger so it was worse for me than most ppl. I used those rubber finger guards they use for sewing until I got used to it and it helped. I also have switched to a cheap guitar with nylons strings. I wish I had started that way, so much easier to play, I mean a lot easier! Good luck, just take it slow with some basic chords, don't try and learn it all at once.