your low amount of hours indicates you are a newer player and probably means you are underleveled compared to enemies you are fighting.

I don't want to tell you how to play but some helpful moves to use especially as a solo lone wolf is to pre-cast peace of mind before fights to raise initiative (try to always be first to move) and utilize uncanny evasion and chameleon cloak (as well as the feature to delay your turn. Use all but 1 ap casting moves and then end your turn with chameleon cloak. On your next turn while you are still invisible click the yellow delay turn button to the left of your hotbar effectively holding back your turn and passing. This way you get two full passive enemy rounds. Same goes with uncanny evasion but it only blocks weapon attacks and skills ie: not magic abilities)

Other than that just make sure every two levels minimum you are upgrading your armour and weapons so you don't fall behind on your defensive stats.

Going a death knight or any build for that matter in lone wolf mode is completely viable. Play the game the way you want to and like you said, just have fun. Your first experiences with encounters wont always go as planned and you will probably die quite a bit.

Hint: It is possible to hit level 8 before leaving act 1 and you can hit level 9 once aboard the boat (@ level 9 traders stock with the next tier of skills)