Hi James, thanks for the question and the kind complement! It feels overwhelming because there are so many things you can do, but you don’t have to actually do them all!
One of the things you will quickly learn is that a great question like yours is one that should be shared and elaborated for the benefit of many. I will try to get a post up directly to answer your questions in more detail, but here is a very quick response…
- Write as much as you can. It will help build those habits.
- Websites are only part of an Internet presence. Consider Social Media and Blogs to help build community.
- Without knowing what your site is going to be about and trying to accomplish, I can’t say which is better. I’ve opted for a paid hosting service using the WordPress software. The cost is quite minimal and it has many advantages.

So look for new content soon. You may also enjoy some of my other blogs The Art Blog and jimdittmer.com They have some tips along the lines you’ve asked about.

First see my posts about copyright here http://www.expertartscans.com/what-is-copyright-really-worth/ and herehttp://www.jdapdx.com/JDA_Creative_Services/JDAInfo/Copyright/Copyright.html.
These deal with the basics of copyright. You should note that this represents U.S. law to the best of my understanding. I’m not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV.
As for your questions:
a) According to US law, you no longer need to assert your copyright by putting the copyright “bug” (©) on your work. The term of copyright officially begins when it is first publicly published. You not only don’t need to include your name, you don’t need the symbol. I would not use a false name, however as it might confuse matters in the future.
B) You can prove that it is your original work by registering the copyright with the US copyright office.
C) Copyright is something that exists as soon as you create the piece, no action is necessary to “copyright a work”. What you are really asking is, does it make sense to register and defend a copyright. Only you can determine if that is worthwhile. In most cases it’s not, because the monetary damages or minor with regards to the cost of prosecution, but that’s up to you to decide.