The first answer you should write in a crossword should always be one whose clue you are absolutely sure of. Once you have correctly identified the theme, the remaining theme answers should be much easier for you to puzzle out. When you have filled in the first long answer, take another look at the title you should be able to make a guess now as to what the theme is. The title is there to give you a hint about the theme of the puzzle-the subject matter or the common element among the longest answers.
Always look at the puzzle title before doing anything else.
