Noob, There are 2 criticals to be aware of: your heat setting, and angle of the rod to the pipe. Remember that your practice piece is going to get real hot after a few passes; you may have to adjust your heat setting or let the piece cool down some. Rule of thumb for the angle is 90 deg to the pipe....

Hi Noob, You haven't given the size pipe, whether a backing ring or open butt, or type and size of welding rod.