how do i start off for having long hairs?

I am 17. My hair is normal and its silky soft. it's straight. i now have 2 inch long hairs. but i want to let my hair grow long till my shoulder blade. I had shortened my hair evenly a month ago and now i have sideburns that are really big. i want to trim off my sideburns without affecting my hair. How to do so?

and since i have only 2 inch long hairs, how much time before it reaches atleast 6 inches?? my hair grows faster than other boys of my age, my mom says. so how long would it take? is there anything i can do, like, is there any haircut to start off for long hairs? i really want long hairs. plz hlp me all you long haired boys...

so the questions are:-

1. What are the preparations i have to do to grow long hairs?

2. How do i shave off my sideburns without touching my hair?

3. How do i maintain it neat after it grows?

3. How much time will it take to grow from 2 inch to 6 inch for a high growth rate?

4. Will it really look too awkward in when it's not grown yet?

my face is a oval shaped one, so plz giv me links to long haired hairstyles i can have for my hair type. plz let me know what YOU did, and don't give links coz i am asking you only after visiting a ton of sites.. TY! i'll be waiting to know how you grew your long hairs.. only boys!