everybody struggles w/the pen tool @ 1st,
like everything worth having it takes practice and patience....
if u want, ill see if i can find sum old excersizes that help u achieve
a the few different types of points/curves u need to 2 master do nice work.....
for now, go 2 the HELP section in ILLUSTRATOR
and search for "converting path points".........
keep @ it mayne.......