Self-taught guitarists?

[Cheryl]

Hi, I just bought my very first guitar and I'm having some trouble. When I push down on the fret and strum, it doesn't make the right sound. It's tuned and everything, so that's not the problem. So, are you supposed to hold the fret in the middle or on the metal thing? Either way isn't really working for me right now. It just makes a tiny "pluck" sound. It's a lyon (washburn) acoustic guitar if that helps.
Oh and lessons aren't really an option for me right now, they don't come cheap in my area.