[java] Some help getting started

I''m trying to develop a top view 2D tile based RPG game and I''m a little lost at where to begin. I know java, some C/C++ and I recently purchased "Black Art of Java Game Programming", read through it an thoroughly understand it. I currently have a game written in java-script up on my site: http://ultimate-end.net(requires IE 4.0+) and I''m trying to figure out a way to translate it to java while using solid object oriented design principles. I had a good idea about how to do it using the book I purchased and it''s Sprite hierarchy when I ran into a snag. The book doesn''t do anything that deals with drawing out an managing a 2D map. I was thinking of creating a GridSprite class that would contain small areas of the world, and be responsible for drawing all other sprites within it. All the GridSprites would, in turn, be contained in a WorldSprite class of somesort. And all of this would be managed by WorldManager class, which would be managed by the actual applet called GameManager. Does this seem like a good approach? Any tips, algos, source code for drawing out a map? Also I plan to handle collisions with an Intersect interface. All objects that could possibly get in the way of your character while moving around the screen would implement this. I have found, however, that this would be unfeasable or rather just not good, when dealing with coastlines, trees or other non unique terrain features. I''ve read through lots of online material but I haven''t found a place yet with a good starting point. Any help would be greatly appreciated.