Stay with your puddle. that is always key. if not it will look like bird turds. i go in circles. some people go in a u shape its up to you tho

 

Go to school ,and also find a real welder in your area.YOU CAN'T LEARN ON THE INTERNET FROM GRAPE MAKERS!!!!!!(and yes I can say this I do hold all my cards)

 

There's a great book called welfare handbook and it will give ya all the info to help with your hands on. Remember what one man can do another man can do to

 

Haha bah bah!!! Lol I meant welders handbook not "welfare"

 

Semi noob here, here's what I've learned so far:
Pay attention to how the puddle reacts to your movements,
the more practice the more you will notice the reaction, and can move
accordingly. I use a "C" stitch pattern, that way I'm not back tracking, into a cooling puddle as much. (seek out pro advice on technique & patterns)
Penetrate!
Keep surfaces as clean as possible. When using flux-core it gets everything messy, and you have to stop periodically to chip and brush your surface.
Don't be afraid to get your face close as possible so you can see what your doing.
That's why your wearing a helm
Get a nice auto-darkening helm, it is well worth the $80-$150!
Have fun!