Lensmastery by Linda

Have you ever wished that some of the lenses you’ve made could be sectioned off into their own topic-specific account? An account created only to hold lenses in a unique niche, something unlike most of the other lenses you’ve made?

That’s what I’ve started doing; I’ve made two new and separate accounts so far, and there will be more. I know there’s been some controversy on SquidU and in other venues about the wisdom of allowing multiple accounts, but I thank the Squidoo overlords for having the wisdom to let them be, and for allowing the simple transfer of lenses between accounts.

I’m having a lot of fun with this and feeling good about the project. My first new account is American Citizen – a place for all my political rants and rambles. I’m a bit on the Libertarian end of the political equation. If that appeals to you, go check it out. Otherwise, please don’t hold it against me, and move on. Just because I’m not Liberal doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.

My second new account is the niche site for all my heebie geebie type lenses — my energy healing, dowsing, predictions… and stuff you might be likely to hear about on Coast to Coast AM. Finally I’ve got a place where I can focus on these things without worrying that someone’s going to think I’m weird: Geniyyah.

My Bigfoot lenses are my most popular right now, and they’re still in my main account. I can foresee that eventually I’ll have a separate niche account with nothing but Bigfoot lenses. One of these days.

I know… seems like multiple personalities, but I feel the need to do this to help those who are truly into my niche topics not to be distracted by things that don’t pertain to their area of interest.

Is anyone else out there doing this? I’d like to know what you think of the lens strategy.

One thing I’ve done is wait — until after reaching 100 lenses. Now that I’m a member of the Giant 100’s Club I feel it is time to codify my diversified efforts on Squidoo. I will not allow my main account to drop below 100 lenses so I can maintain my Giant 100’s status.

Me? An angel? Wow! I was so excited to get an email from HQ asking me to serve as a Squid Angel! Turns out there’s more to it than just sporting a pretty yellow shield. I’ve been given five categories to monitor – and my goal is to explore all top-100 lenses in each of the five categories each month. Busy, busy, busy! But fun, in a way, as I’m learning so many fascinating things from you wonderful and creative lensmasters along the way. My Squid Angel lens has lots more information: Helpful Words From a Squid Angel. The lens contains a contact link so you can request a possible blessing for your favorite lenses.

Speaking of creative lensmasters… I recently created a lens called Creative Lensmaking. I could use your help here, folks. I need to know where your favorite creative lenses are. Did you make a lens using some fantastic technique that nobody else seems to know about? I would sure love to include your creative lens. Please send me a link!

And now for the heavenly music… I just updated my Mountain Music lens and renamed it Mountain Music Elevates the Soul. It features dulcimers, drum-circle drums, and guitars, with videos and more. I believe now, during the recession, home-grown music will help thousands of people get through the dark days and develop their talents.

The last thing I want to mention today is my new niche… and I know, this has been done before by some talented people, but it is something very dear to my heart. I’m going to start my own online herbal on Squidoo. I’ve been studying and using herbs for more than thirty-five years, and have lots to say about them. I’ll start with the ones I’m growing, and the ones I can harvest locally in the wild.

That’s it for now… thanks for reading!

Are you a writer? I’m guessing that most Squidoo lensmasters are writers – after all, we have to write to create lenses, right?

Have you heard of the annual Muse Online Writers Conference?

The 2008 conference will be held from October 13 through 19. It is all online, and all FREE.

To participate you must register by September 1.

Last year was my first year to participate, and I had so much fun I offered to present a workshop at this year’s conference.

I’ve never done anything like this before, and honestly, many times during the year I’ve questioned my decision as I rushed to meet deadline after deadline, getting things ready for the conference coordinator. I’ve got a bit of stage fright but I’m going ahead with it anyhow.

My workshop is called Creating An Impressive Writing Website.

I chose this workshop because I was a professional web designer from 2002 through 2007. I cherish the hope of helping writers learn to make attractive, professional quality websites. I’m doing this because so many writing websites I visited were substandard and didn’t show the writer’s talents to the best advantage. Writers need help in the web design department… and I’ll be there to answer questions every evening for the entire week.

The conference is divided into two sections – the chats and the message board. I’ll have a section on the message board that I’ll work on daily, and will appear at one chat, on Friday evening.

The Muse Online Writers Conference is about much more than my little workshop. There are dozens of talented presenters… and they all have one or more topic to present. Some of these presenters are so gung-ho they’re presenting on multiple topics. I have to admire them!