hey andreas
1. don't use the story editor if you don't really don't need to do so.
for editing text, just double click on the text frame and start typing, formatting and editing.
2. keep the properties palette open (window > properties). the text tag has lot of goodies for you
3. the text color is in the properties palette, in the text tab, in the sub tab color...
the color tab in the properties palette is for the border and fill of the frame, not for the text itself.
have fun
a.l.e