I did not think I would like this game, but I am have become engrossed, how do I not die so much, I cannot find many good resources .
True human melee is pretty easy for the start (unless you do something stupid, you don't have to really worry about dying), I got to lv 16 on my third try or so, but my save got corrupted so that was it for him.
Mental mutant is pretty beast, but has a problem in that it is super squishy.
Dunno about physical mutant.
Get a high strength score (and pretty good toughness+agi preferably), you don't really need ego or willpower (although you need at least 19(?) int for lv 1 tinkering). (that is for true human melee).
Look (with the L key) at all the enemies, and avoid fighting anything "tough" or stronger.
Speak to the dude in the bottom left corner of the map for quests.
Explore east and kill what you come across (the glowpads have tons of health, so you might not want to bother killing them).
Keep going east (and going back to the town when you fill up) till you get to the rust wells, explore them and get the wire and goods.
Then get the "what's eating the watervine quest" (from the watervine farmer), and go to red rock.
Don't get too far away from the town, the stuff gets stronger the farther you get (and depending on the direction you go too).
EDIT:Also, AV is much better then DV, figure out how combat works (in that penetration is super important).