[Sangetsu]

If you get into the habit of writing in kanji, you'll come to know how important stroke order is. Using the proper stroke order will increase your efficiency in writing, as well as making the characters more legible.

I too used to wonder what the big deal was, but I learned soon enough how important the stroke order is. Saying that stroke order is not important is like crying out "I don't know what I'm talking about!!", and is a sure sign that you have not been studying for very long, or that if you have, you haven't learned much yet.

The best source I know for learning kanji is the "Basic Kanji Book". It is the most highly rated aid for studying kanji, and nothing else I have tried works as well. The first book contains the 250 kanji that are most commonly used, the second book contains another 250. These books include include reading and writing exercises, designed to help you learn and retain the characters.