Study a language very closly. Example: C++
Learn assembly. Know what pops and pushes, and registers are very well.
Start with a very primitive console.
get failure with An IDE for displaying graphics, example DirectX
If you have no knowledge of the above plan on investing 1 year minimum for a very basic introduction. This is assuming more the 2 hours a day. Sorry, an emulator will not rise from this 1 year into crash course. Though if you have dedication it could be possible. Most emulators are built with programmers that have 5+ years in these areas.
Remember a rom is a hex dump. You will not see anything in there but machine code calls. And this is built for that console. Your goal is to interpret these calls and trick the OS in to thinking its for it. If you dont know what they are for , you will never get anywhere...
Is this simple? Well I can't say for certain but I have been using c++ for 20 + years and I have worked with assembly. c++ Is fun.. The closest analogy for assembly I can thinks of is.. When you where younger, and assuming you have a vindictive brother... Imagine if you will, one day getting on your bike, sitting down only to find your brother ran off with the seat.. Lets just say its not a conferable experience. But seriously I have never attempted to write an emulator, nor do I have the ambition to.. but its not child's play and you will need to focus.
Tip, get involved with the open source gamecube emulator dolphin. The source is freely available and you can join the project. Most of the assembly calls are written in to an api so you wont need to deal with that but it will give you an idea of how an emulator is constructed.
Good luck and my the force be with you, you will need it.