The Shrine

Since I find I can't function without something to keep me busy, I've decided my summer project is to build myself a website where I can host my blog and publish my stories and novels online for public consumption. I want the site to have a web forum, a space where a donations button can be put up, and the ability to embed videos and the like.

My problem is, I don't know the best way to create such a site. Could a free blog suffice? Should I get my own web page? How would I go about getting it? What sort of sites should I use?

Since most of you are waaaaaaay more tech-savvy than I'll ever be, I'm turning to you for help. Can any of you suggest anything that might help me get underway?

As I've never done a blog, I can't recommend a site, but I would recommend finding a free blog site. You could get your own domain and all of that, but stuff like blogspot using your own third-level domain and already having the software installed, why not just do that?