WoW newbie looking for advice

[Taelas]

My Warlock is now level 9. Woot!:)

Which leads me to another few questions. I don't seem to be able do anything to my attributes/stats. They raise on their own every level, so I end up with things I really don't need as a caster (strength mainly) getting raised anyway. Is there actually some way to manually control them?

Unfortunately, no. Just don't worry about them.

Do you get anything out of PvP combat? I've been challenged a few times now to a duel, but didn't really want to get into them for thinking them to be a waste of time (for now). Do I get gold, experience, anything if I win?

Duels are generally a waste of time. You don't get anything for winning them.

My character constantly complains about being out of range of spells. Why won't she take two steps to get into range? I seem to remember vaguely from years and years ago in the stress test before launch (last time I tried WoW) that my mage character would close in on his own into spell range. After all, my little Fiend friend does it when I tell him to go shoot a Firebolt, why is my main character then blessed with the intellectual capacity of a gnat?

I've never even heard of PCs closing into spell range automatically... You'll just have to move on your own, I'm afraid.

Oh sorry, one more question. When in god's name am I getting out of that forest? It seems endless and I'm yearning for a change of scenery.

Generally starting areas take you to levels 10-11, and up to 12 if you do absolutely every quest. The next area you're taken into is Silverpine Forest, and while the scenery isn't that different (it's a little brighter), Silverpine is one of the most well-done areas in original WoW, in my opinion. (If you have the time, check out Pyrewood at daytime and at nighttime.)