Any passion, any obsession, any topic or any interest could be a good subject for the new on-line writing phenomenon called blogging.

But what is a blog? How does it work? Who are the bloggers and how did they get to write on the Internet?

To answer the last two questions first, a blogger can be anyone with something to say on-line and an understanding of the tools necessary to say it. In most cases, the opportunity to get started is open to anyone with Internet access and is absolutely free.

Simply put, a blog is a website with multiple journal entries allowing regular updates by the author.

Generally, there is also an opportunity to upload photos and create hyperlinks to other sites of interest. These links are usually either part of a blogroll (a collection of links to related blogs and other websites running down one side of the blog) or links from a post to a website which relates to or further explains a topic.

Though most blog software now offers functions that automatically create links into which a website's address can be easily cut and pasted, they can also usually be created manually by adding a simple line of HTML code.

Want to create a link? Just include the code then include the word or words you want to function as the place in the text that readers can click on to visit your link and close with .

It's that simple.

Free blogging software and hosting can be found at www.blogger.com, www.wordpress.com, www.mindsay.com, www.soulcast.com and www.roobeo.com among other sources you can probably find with a Google search.

Sites like Ebay and MySpace also offer an opportunity to create free blogs though sometimes with fewer functions allowing users to do anything from review a product to talk about what happened to them yesterday.

Creating a blog is often as easy as signing up for a free account with any of these providers, creating a short profile including whatever you feel comfortable sharing and then getting started.

Pro sites available for slightly more cost include www.squarespace.com and www.typepad.com.

Whether talking about your life, your pastimes or pursuits, your business endeavors or the current events in your hometown, blogging can provide a platform from which you can express your views, create community and gain influence.

The possibilities are endless and the content is up to you.

Learn more about this author, Shawn Hessinger.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

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