Starter islands are good for mat harvesting. Talk to an NPC on the docks.
Iron Ore is not the easiest to see, its a brown blob on the ground. The other metals stick out a bit more. But you should be able to find plenty for the writ (figure about 60 to 80 with your lack of extraction passives)
Also, the stuff sells in Guild Kiosks too pretty cheap.
Enjoy the game, life is what you really want to be worried about.
PakKat "Everything was going well, until I died"
Gary Gravestink "I am glad you died, I needed the help"