If you are really interested on earning merits there are lot's of possible way to earn some.
This link will help you:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=merit;stats=recentIt is the link where you can see all post that get merits in the last 120 days, try to check every post why they get merits.
The most important thing here is to be active and involve yourself to the current discussions, anyway your a newbie you dont need merits to rank up to Jr. member.
This is interesting.i am also dieing for merits.still no luck.may be never because i am not a good writer at all.