If you aren't interested in signing up for a paid site, the you have the free options, but if you want to create your own locally (just using your PC hardware) you NEED the hardware first, something Nvidia ideally with at least 12gb of VRAM (that isn't a 3060).
Best place to start is using Google Ai to help you along. I learned everything in a few weeks, how to create images, how to make a LORA, and how to make AI character with text to voice function, all through Google AI. You can actually use Google AI to help you build an Ai guide too using the software you're using.
It has that endless patience you need and can describe everything for you to understand, as there's a lot going on to get your head into like Temperatures and secondary Lora's to tailor detail. It can also provide you direct links for Command Prompt to download everything you need, without you having to go find, and accidentally download the wrong version, which does save time.