Being a mature adult is about mastering yourself and your domain. It's not simple or easy but young women can manage as they grow up from being children to adults. We can take on more, become successful and then even encourage others to do the same. A woman is an asset to herself, family, friends, and community.

Learn to be self reliant and competent, have common sense and understanding. No one person can be everything, omnipotent. Don't put too many expectations on yourself or make more promises than you are able to keep.

Say no when you need to, or at times just because you really want to. Don't be pressured into taking on more than you can handle or giving more than you want taken. People in need will sometimes ask for too much - it's not for you as an individual to solve or fix everything.

Mind your manners, be punctual and be away of your posture and body language. You can look confident and poised even if you feel like a wreck inside.

Do grown up things: get a job, pay your own bills, open a bank account, get a passport and all the other paperwork which a young adult can do for themselves now that you are no longer a child.

As you work towards being mature don't lose one of the best things from your younger days, your creativity. Whether you work at arts and crafts with children of your own, or take up photography, or something trendy and creative - keep dabbling into the creative side of your brain. Don't let this valuable part of you fall into disuse. It's part of what makes us feel alive.

Is Advice Worth Giving?

• Do young women listen to advice from other women?
• Yes, other women have experience and insight which can be a good thing.
• Yes, but it's still up to each young woman to make her own decisions.
• No, free advice is worth every penny.
• No, I don't want to feel instructed and told what to do.

How you Look Reflects Who you Are

Be clean, tidy, well groomed and dress well appropriately. Yes you have curves and you look young and pretty. This is the time in your life when you will want to look your age, because your age is young and considered to be the most desirable for a woman.

However, have respect for yourself and don't go overboard. High heels, cosmetics, jewellery and short skirts don't make you a woman. What are you trying to prove (and who are you trying to prove it to) when your clothing reveals too much? It shows a lack of confidence when young women dress like someone craving attention. Much better to keep some mystery than to flaunt everything you've got and have nothing in reserve for later.

Too often young women are out in public wearing far less than the men they are with. It looks very mismatched. Young women should be aware, the person wearing more clothing with less of themselves revealed is the person with more power. The person with less clothing appears subservient needing to please. Is that really the impression a young woman wants to make?

The More you Can do for Yourself the More Power you Have

Get and keep a set of basic tools for home repairs. Learn how to use them. You should at least know how to fix simple things around your home.

Find a guide to home repairs and learn how to handle the tools. Then look around your home and see what could be fixed or repaired. Screw in a doorknob which has come loose. Tighten up a woobly wooden chair. Hang pictures up straight and at the right height for viewing them. Paint your walls a different colour. Add a hand railing to the shower. The more you learn and are able to do the better.

At some point you might get into creating something like furniture or restoring furniture if you find you enjoy working with the tools and seeing how much you can do. This is the kind of work that tends to stay done.

Learn how to keep your vehicle maintained too, if you have one. Rather than letting people at the garage tell you what you need done, know enough to at least understand how the parts run and work. As a young woman you have a better chance of not being taken advantage of if you aren't clueless when you walk in the door.

Don't Ignore the Traditional Women's Skills

Learn basic skills which women are still expected to know and do. But not for those reasons. Home sewing and mending, cooking and cleaning may be traditionally thought of as women's work but they are still valid in modern times. If you can sew on your own buttons, hem your pants, cook up a good dinner, maybe even can your own peaches and then clean it all up afterwards, you are ahead of so many others who find these skills beyond them (or beneath them).

Sewing skills are simple. It's not something you should need to pay someone else to do. Also, if you can't find the time to sew on a button, you really need to rethink your schedule. A little sewing is nice while you watch TV or have time to yourself in the evening. Just because these are old fashioned skills does not make them less important.

Cooking can also be enjoyable and give you a feeling of accomplishment with something practical. Baking is an extra element, a facet of cooking which requires more careful measuring and knowledge. With most cooking you have some leeway - however most baking will not turn out well if you add a little of this and forget to have the oven ready before you put in the cake batter. Baking is especially good for proving we need to follow the directions at times.

Cleaning is women's work which is never done, literally. I think this is why cleaning is still not popular with men. They like to sit back and see a job well done and have it stay that way. Cleaning up never stays done. Laundry must be washed, then put away and then worn to be washed and put away again. Dishes are brought out to be used and must then be washed, and put away until they are used again. Floors are forever having bits of stuff fallen on them. If you doubt the work of cleaning to be eternal, just look around you. There's a door handle to clean. There's a window with fingerprints. There's the curtains which need to be washed. There's the... It's endless and bottomless and it all needs to be done. For yourself, if no one else.

Muriel Dreams of a Better Life and Waits for it to Happen

Muriel dreams of a wonderful life with a fantastic wedding and a Prince Charming. She thinks having this will change her life for her. Muriel gets the wedding and the Prince but discovers those things were just dreams and her reality can be so much better when she stops waiting for her dreams to happen and goes after life herself.

Muriel is a modern Cinderella who makes it all come out right, for herself. You can be proud of Muriel because she starts on the bottom and pulls herself up again, twice. The second time even better than the first.

Muriel is a nobody girl living in Porpoise Spit, Australia. She doesn’t have a job, and spends most of her time listening to ABBA music in her room, dreaming of the life she wants. Her life has no direction, her Father makes her feel like nothing. All Muriel wants is a wedding. Her wedding.

She steals money from her Father and takes a tropical vacation, befriends Rhonda and returns home. But she doesn’t stay there. Rather than face her Father about the missing money Muriel strikes out on her own. She works in a video store and meets Tim. Rhonda is there too. You would think it would all just go along from there – but Muriel marries rich!

Muriel Gets her Dream Wedding

When Muriel does get her wedding and changes her life she discovers the life she thought she wanted so much is nothing like the life she could have on her own. She leaves her husband, an arranged marriage with a South African soccer player, finds her friend Rhonda (who is now wheel chair bound and living with her Mother back in Porpoise Spit) and together they leave for parts unknown – somewhere not Porpoise Spit, Australia.

One of the great things about this movie are the stories of the secondary characters. Muriel’s Mother (Betty) has the saddest story. Muriel’s Mother mistakenly wears shoes she did not pay for out of the shopping mall. She is arrested. The family attacks her, especially Muriel’s Father who is verbally abusive to everyone in the family and has a mistress on the side (which Betty chooses not to know). Betty, abused by all and even snubbed by Muriel at a time when she tried to connect with her, has an emotional breakdown and commits suicide.

The scene where the laundry is in rags and still left hanging on the drying rack outside – after Betty has died is one which sticks in my mind. This is Muriel’s visit home after the funeral. She realizes the life her Mother led, a quiet desperate and sad life. This is where Muriel changes her own life, again, and frees herself from her past and all those old dreams.

Muriel Doesn’t Make Changing your Life Look Easy but She Shows it can be Done

It is a wonderful movie. Without seeing it for yourself you can’t know how great it is and have that awesome feeling at the end as Muriel takes the taxi out of Porpoise Spit, Australia finally leaving her old sad life behind.

I like seeing “Muriel” in movies since 1994 when Muriel’s Wedding was made.. Of course, the actress (Toni Collette) went on to make more movies but she will always be Muriel in my mind. Muriel is too wonderful to ever be forgotten. Snort (you just have to watch the movie).

Personal Concierge

People who run their own home based business as a personal shopper, running errands for other people, are also known as a concierge service. Concierge are the people who work in fancy hotels, making sure the guest have all the extras they need. The concierge would book tours, order them a taxi or a limousine, whatever comes up. It's a wonderful thing to have someone you can count on to help you with the little extras, if you have a lot on your plate, need help and can afford to pay for it.

Photographer

Take photos of people at events. Photograph pets for their owners. Learn a little more about light and shadows then look for work as a professional photographer. You don't need the expense of your own darkroom or developing film now so photography can be a simple home business.

Event Planner

Weddings, family reunions, local business events, there are endless events going on all the time if you track down the sources. Talk to a veteran event planner and see if you can apprentice while you get the hang of things and build your list of contacts and sources for cakes, flowers, party supplies and etc.

Local Newsletter Publisher

Your local area may already have a local newsletter, distributed in stores and other businesses in the area. If so, consider formatting your newsletter online instead. But, gather businesses who want to reach more customers and provide the content to fill the newsletter with news, tips, stories, events, and ads.

Packing and Unpacking Service

Not only can you work with real estate agents to provide a welcome to new people moving into the neighbourhood but you can offer your own service to help people pack to move or unpack when they move into their new house.

Pet Sitter/ Walker

If you like animals offer to pet sit for the evening or a weekend (or longer if you are able to). This may be in your own home or you may come to the home of the animal. If you can, offer extras like pet grooming.

Yard Work

Whether it's raking leaves, shovelling snow, cleaning a pool for Spring... there is always outside yard work to be done.

Internet Services

Building a website is not the job it used to be. These days you can spend some time learning the software and put up a finished site in an hour. Not everyone wants to do this however and those people will pay to have someone do it for them. You can also set up their online portfolio with social media accounts. Offer Internet lessons to teach them how to use social media and update their site too.

Tutoring

What's your best subject? Offer your services to parents with school children who need some extra help and your expertise. English, math, science... but don't forget piano playing, sewing and other skills you have.

Collectibles

The idea isn't to build up a collection for yourself but to find and add to the collections of others. Pick items which you have an interest in and know something about then search for them online, in second hand shops and from other collectors who may want to sell. Connect yourself to people who collect and want what you can find for them.

Graffiti Removal

Here, a local business is told to remove graffiti within a specified amount of days. This is left for the business owner to do and if it is not removed in time the city will fine them. So, graffiti, especially when it continues over time, is a problem and a headache. Watch for the businesses which tend to be hit and offer to clean it up. You could even get a contract to come out weekly and take that headache away for them.

Local Tours

Your town will have something interesting to see. Even if you can't think of anything, there is a reason people are coming to your town. Find it. Offer yourself as tour guide and then... go a bit farther. Offer a walking tour of your town and talk about the history, the paranormal, the UFOs, the ghosts and hauntings. Work with people who run local events, have a bed and breakfast or other tourist related businesses - don't forget great sources like the local library and museum too.

Home Staging

You may not want to clean someone;s house but you could help set up homes for sale. Look at their curb appeal, see what could be touched up and make to look better for the sale inside and outside too.

Personal Chef

Not a caterer who cooks for parties and events, but a personal chef who cooks for a family (or someone alone and needing a specific diet). You do the shopping and cook it too. Preparation could be at your own home but the idea is to serve the food hot in their home.

Clothing Repair

Can you sew? People need cuffs hemmed, buttons sewn on and rips and tears repaired. If you can do alterations add that to your list of services.

Bookkeeping

Even with the software out there to make keeping books easier, someone still needs to pull it all together on a regular basis. You could have a few businesses (even other home businesses) who you visit weekly to gather the paperwork, sort it out and enter it into the system.

Office Plant Maintenance

Find which businesses keep plants and offer your service to maintain them: water, prune them and fertilize.

Elder Care

Seniors living alone need company and help with things like running errands and organizing.

50 questions to help you find your passion:

1. What is working well for you in your current life --- what do you find fulfilling, meaningful, enjoyable, and important?

I still have my independence, a place to work which I have been re-creating to get rid of clutter. I find those to be enjoyable and important.

2. What isn't working well for you in your current life --- what drains you, makes you stressed and anxious, or wastes your time?

Conflict and stress over conflicts drains me.

3. If you were financially secure and didn't need a paycheck, how would you spend your time?

I would still do much of what I do now. More travel and photographing old places. I'd have a space that was more my own, no other tenants for sure.

4. What are some childhood dreams or interests you never were able to fully explore but still find intriguing?

Costume design.

5. If you could be remembered for three things after you die, what would they be?

I'd like to be remembered as someone who people could talk to and leave feeling better about themselves. I don't need to be remembered but I would have liked to have made a difference, in a positive way, for the people I care about especially. They will be the ones still here after all, not me.

6. Who is someone in your life or in history whose life and work inspires and excites you? Why?

Lots of people. Shirley Jackson, the writer. Joan, the ASCII artist. Zack Brown, my nephew just stepping out into the world on his own. Most people can inspire or stimulate you with new ideas if you pay attention.

7. What skills do you possess that you really enjoy and love to do?

Photography, writing and text (ASCII) art. Sewing too. Also, seem to often find a way to manage or figure something out, inventive or ingenuity I guess.

8. What skills do you possess that you dislike but feel you must do anyway?

Anger. Being angry, controlling it, ignoring it, dealing with anger takes a lot of energy and drains me.

9. What specific activities have you done in a past or current job that you really enjoy and find engaging?

Organizing information. I think I liked feeling something was accomplished, also, I was able to find my own way to manage the organization and get it done.

10. What specific activities have you done in a past or current job that you dislike and never want to do again?

Sales!

11. How much of your time during an average week are spent doing things you dislike or that you feel waste your time?

I don't really like sleeping. But, like sleeping, most of the things I dislike are not going away, necessary or serve some purpose.

12. What are your top 5 most deeply held core values?

• You find what you are looking for.
• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
• Revenge (and anger) is a dish best served cold.
• Whether negative or positive, what you put out there into the world becomes who you are, how you are seen and changes the world around you.
• Keeping an open mind doesn't mean you are gullible but it is more important than most people think. There is a magic in the world for people who aren't closed off to it.

13. How does your life and work currently support or reflect those values?

I try to remain honest with everyone, even when it isn't so easy. I try to curb my impulsive actions and words unless they are directed in a positive and creative way.

14. Which of your top values are you ignoring or not giving enough attention?

Probably revenge and anger because I usually do nothing which leaves me with a lot of built up feelings and highly stressed out at times.

15. How are you living outside of your integrity?

I don't think I am. Other than not standing up for myself and pushing more for my own interests and needs.

16. What lies are you telling yourself and others about who you are and what's important to you?

Whatever lies I tell myself are too ingrained at this point to pick out.

17. What do you fear most when it comes to finding your passion?

Realizing that I had it all wrong or I missed something important and none of it was good at all.

18. What limiting beliefs do you hold about yourself and your ability to succeed at living your passion?

See above.

19. How have your fears and limiting beliefs held you back from finding or pursuing your passion in the past?

I have to push or trick myself into getting started and I don't usually finish the learning or creative process for the things which are most important to me.

20. What solid evidence do you have that your fears and limiting beliefs are true?

I'm turning 50 this year and this is not where I thought or feel I should be.

21. If there's some small amount of evidence that your fears or limiting beliefs might come to pass, is the risk big enough to prevent you from going after your passion?

So far it seems to be. If you have your final confirmation that you suck there isn't a great way to recover and try again from there.

22. Can you tolerate some risk and uncertainty around finding your passion? How much?

I've risked living on the poverty level most of my life. I'm not destitute but at some point the future is going to smack me upside the head.

23. What trumps finding and living your passion? Your current income? Your job? Your current lifestyle? Your home or the city you live in? The opinion of others? How you spend your time?

Mostly just myself.

24. What is the linchpin fear keeping you from going after your passion?

Running out of options. If you fall off a cliff you can't just jump back up again.

25. Specifically, what actions can you take to lessen and manage your fear?

I try to trick myself and work around it. Not highly successfully.

26. Are there any people in your life preventing you from pursuing your passion? Who are they and how are they holding you back?

My family are supportive and yet they can take the wind out of my sails too.

27. What could you do to communicate with this person (people) to enlist their support or get them to step out of your way?

You can't live in a fairy tale, things don't work that way.

28. Are you willing to disengage entirely from people undermining your passion pursuit? If not, why?

I'd love to live in the world by myself. But, then there would be no reason to do anything because there would be no one else there to see it or be a part of it.

29. Do any people close to you have legitimate concerns or worries about your passion ideas? How can you address or overcome these?

Of course they have legitimate concerns. I can't address them because I can't guarantee the success of my ideas.

30. What interests or hobbies have you had in the past few years that intrigue you and might hold the potential for a life passion?

Travel writing would be a nice combination of interests.

31. Are you willing to spend time engaging with these interests to learn more --- by volunteering, part-time work, interning, finding a mentor, etc.?

Willing, yes. But it is not practical to travel at this time. Without the travel part the writing will just be rehashing what is already out there - using photographs I wasn't there to take and writing about places I have only read about.

32. If you think you know what your passion might be, what specific work have you done to learn more about it and really experience it? What are you willing to do?

I took Corporate Communications in college. That was great for learning how to write in plain and sensible English. But, that was quite awhile ago.  I'm currently writing for other sites and several of my own. It's an easy form of progress.

33. Do you have enough savings to allow you to live for 6 months during a job transition or while you search for your passion?

No. I don't have any savings and I don't want to fall into the trap of living on credit again.

34. What can you do to create a cushion of savings if you don't have any?

Sell my blood to a hungry vampire. More practically, I could write and try to get published at places that pay better.

35. What is the minimal salary you can live with?

Pretty minimal so far, less than this doesn't work out so well.

36. Would you be willing to downsize your lifestyle in order to live your passion?

I don't own anything other than my computer, a lot of books and the typical clothes, flotsam and jetsam. I've already downsized.

37. What is the very worst thing that could happen if you decided to pursue your passion? Could you live with that?

The worst thing would be failure. It wouldn't kill me but what would be left to keep me going if I lose.

38. What is the actual likelihood of this worst thing happening?

At least 50/50.

39. What would your ideal day look like? Describe it in detail from morning until bedtime.

A sunny, quiet morning with snow outside. My man servant brings me coffee and fresh fruit salad. I get dressed and all that stuff. Then I sit in my home office to write for a few hours. I take a break and the man and I go out into town for some errands, a latte, a stop at the bookstore or somewhere special. Maybe we go for a drive and find an abandoned mansion to photograph and end up staying overnight in a grand hotel.

40. What is something (or several things) you'd really like to achieve before you die?

I don't really have a bucket list. I would have liked to travel and see more of the world and the old places. Maybe give Loch Ness a visit to see if I get a lucky photograph of Nessie.  Marriage and kids are too far out of the picture at this point. I would like to be a smaller size, I'm working on that.

41. What have you done toward making those happen?

See above.

42. Would you be willing to work in a less-than-passionate job in order to live your passion outside of work or as a part-time job?

I've done that a few times over. You really do feel you have hit the bottom when you work at telemarketing, not just once but a few times over the years.

43. If you woke up nearly every day feeling content, fulfilled, and happy about your life and work, how would that impact you physically, mentally, emotionally, in your relationships, and in your self-confidence?

I'd might work less at pleasing other people and yet, I still would like to see other people feel positive and good and bring that out into the world with them.

44. How has living a less-than-passionate life impacted you? Give specific examples.

I've been stuck in the same rut, spinning wheels for a long time.  I don't sink but I don't have the success I would feel good about either.

45. What would make you feel proud of yourself?

I feel proud of myself when I finish things which were hard.

46. How are you living, acting, or talking that isn't really you?

I'm second guessing myself and playing a chameleon.

47. If you could start fresh all over again with your life and career, what would you do differently?

When I was 16 and had quit school to work full time I would have found a way to stick with that. Even though the woman I was renting the apartment from made it a bad place to be - could have moved elsewhere rather than returning to try again with school and living at home. I was having trouble keeping up at work but I liked the job. My boss would have helped if I had not been too timid about asking. But, you can't know all these things when you see them from your view point then. Now, looking back I can see it differently.

48. Can you go back for a "re-do" on any of these things? If you answer "no," are you absolutely sure?

I'm sure I don't have a time machine.

49. If you live to age 90, how many days do you have left to live? (90 minus your current age times 365)

I'm not answering that.

50. How many of those days are you willing to live disliking your life, your work, your relationships, or yourself?

That's a very leading question.

via - Find Your Passion By Answering These 50 Questions | Barrie Davenport | The Life Passion Coach.

Last Night I Graduated from Rocket Squids on Squidoo

I didn't make as much use of he Rocket Squid program as I could have. I only read some of the articles posted for us and I didn't comment very much, or make an effort to meet more than a couple of people on Squidoo while I was there for mentoring. However, I don't think I wasted my time being there and I don't think it was a waste of time to join and be a part of Rocket Squids.

In fact, now that I've graduated I'm surprised to feel a bit like I'm missing something. I will miss the extra quests which came from Rocket Squids, also the bonus of seeing some of the new features on Squidoo first (along with the Giant Squids). But, because I do have over 25 featured lenses, I have applied to become a Giant Squid (kind of like being a Brownie and 'flying up' to become a Girl Guide). I hope I get accepted, but, of course, there is no guarantee. I may have left a few uncaught typos in my wake. I have always tried to write original and creative content.

Maybe I'm a little arrogant to think I didn't really need the Rocket Squid program. I have been writing online since 1996 after all. I've been freelance writing long before that. I'm not a kid, by far. I know how to write. Not that I'm perfect. I will say that to my nephew but he knows I'm joking.

I do have more to learn. Everyone does. The more I do learn the more questions I find to ask. So, the Rocket Squids did help me, yes, even me with all the experience I have had as a web writer, directory editor, forum moderator, newsletter diva, blogger, copywriter, network writer and so on. You can always learn more - if you take yourself a bit less seriously and listen to what others have to tell you.

Independent Blogger or Network Writer?

Is blogging still worthwhile? Is it worth the extra time, energy and resources to put into creating, maintaining and promoting your own site? Or, is it simpler to write for Squidoo (or other online networks) but only have a share of the profit from your work?

Do you have your own blog or site outside of Squidoo? If so, leave a comment with the link(s). I will visit your site and likely others who stop here will too.

If it were possible to add a third option here I would say the best option is to do both - run your own sites for the experience and be part of a network for the communicaitons and company. But, there are downfalls to each option. Being part of a network community and running your own sites too can burn you out. (I've been burnt out a few times over the years I've been publishing online).

Which is better: being your own blogger or working as part of a network of writers?

Writing for the Web...isn't Always Blogging But, it's a Place to Start

Don't get too tangled up in SEO, writing for Google. Writing online should be writing for people to read and search engines to pick up. Actually, even the search engines (Google and Yahoo) are noticing how much more important the social media and socializing in general are than the marketing. Marketing is all about sales, so often it misses the target entirely because marketers are trying to catch the attention of Google instead of actual human people. People are the ones who read your posts, leave comments and pass along links they valued or found interesting.

Are you on Twitter?

You can find me on Twitter. My username is @thatgrrl

I won't claim to be a Twitter addict but I do especially like Twitter as a way to connect to other writers, find new resources and ideas and the odd laugh too.

Don't be shy or intimidated by Twitter. It is simple to use, if you give yourself a chance to start. One thing which seems to bother people about Twitter (and a lot of social networks) is missing something when you aren't there. Get over that. Get over it quick!

Yes, you will miss some stuff. Some of it will be good. But, you will catch some stuff too and that is enough. Don't become obsessed. Just sit down, type a bit and enjoy the rush, flow and ebb of information.

There are Twitter groups for writers. They have scheduled get togethers on Twitter. You need to use a hashtag (each group will have their own - #writerstalk for example). People who run the groups can help you get started. But, mainly you just need to use Twitter to search for the hashtag the group uses and then you can read all the posts. When you reply use the same hashtag so everyone else will see your post too.

Write in Your Own Style and With Your Own Voice

How do writers write?

Anyway, here I am at the end of one path and maybe the start of another. Either way I will keep writing. I love writing. I especially enjoy the new lens format for reviewing items on Amazon. The fun is coming up with ideas around whatever I'm reviewing and making a fully robust post from the original item. There is a trick to it. Create layers to the original idea you are writing about. Don't go far off topic into some never never land... but, build up the topic with extras, layers and bundles of new and relevant ideas. This also works great for fiction writers.

You need to bundle ideas together in a way that makes sense and has flow! I think of it as having a conversation with someone I don't know. I also like to give readers extra information, a new spin on something and something else to think about or read about or study or research - new ideas to explore. It doesn't always work, but I do my best. I like bringing my own ideas, experience and opinions to something that could have been kind of bland just lying there flat on the page.

Writers all have their own style though. Each of us has our individual voice as well. So, if a writer is actually using their own voice, in their own style no two of us will ever have the same post even if we write about the exact same thing.

Writing Style Matters and Can be Developed ... but working on your writer's voice is more fun.

Writing style is about how you write, the more practical things. Some people write in a casual way with a lot of flow. Some people write in a reporter style, with the facts... mainly the facts. Some writers write like a sales pitch, not always a bad thing.

Then there is your writing voice. This is more about what you say than how you write. It's how you say it. Have you had a conversation with someone really connects with you versus someone who really seems to have nothing to say but keeps talking anyway? Your voice is important. It's how you connect to your readers. Your writer's voice is your personality typed onto the page.

Curated Content for Web Writers

Web publishing is always changing in small and less subtle ways. One upcoming idea is content curation. Based on the idea of art and museum curators who display stuff (for lack of a better word) in art galleries and museums for the public to come along and have a look.

On the web, content curation is still mostly about finding and displaying content. Finding the content can be the simplest part. Keeping the content displayed takes some extra work for those who do it well. Using a site like Scoop.it does help because the software is set up to upload the link, add an image and just let the curator fill in the blanks (mostly). One very good thing which Scoop.it does automatically is give a link back to the source of the content. Linking back and giving credit is very important. It is one of the important ethical issues which we face as web writers.

So... What did I learn from being a RocketSquid?

I learned about Squidoo. I learned about the people behind Squidoo - I'd already known about some and even bought a couple of books written by Seth Godin. Not because of Squidoo but because I wanted to read more about his perspective on web writing and publishing.

The Scroll of Originality

Content is king. You've heard the saying. But what kind of content? Is some content not king (or queen)? Is there a standard for great, high quality, remarkable content? You bet.

We at Squidoo believe that original, handcrafted, written-and-loved-and-tended-by-you content is not only the most enjoyable to write, but also the most useful for readers to discover, and the most likely to get spread to other people.

Even better, let's put a face on the word 'content.' On its own, 'content' is a broad, generic, vague term. What we've found works best for our Squidoo writers is opinion content. First hand reviews. Recommendations. Storytelling. Experience sharing. As we said 5 years ago when we started the company, Squidoo is an opportunity for you to share your point of view, your take on a specific topic. That's why lenses are called lenses -- they snap your point of view in to focus.

This is a handshake, a thank you, and a reminder to keep writing original lenses. Lenses that no one else could have written better or more uniquely than we know you can. It also comes with extra tips, to save you from spending time and energy on a low-quality, non-original lens that winds up getting removed.

The best rules of thumb for creating original content are:

Write about topics that interest you. When you're interested and have an opinion, it's easier to make a great lens.

Push yourself to create. Creation means building something from scratch. And it's extraordinarily rewarding when you do.

When you quote from or cite other sources on the web, link to them. Only quote small excerpts. Even ask in advance if you're not sure. And better yet -- follow it with your own unique perspective on that information.

Do the same for product recommendations. Even if you don't have first person experience with the product, you surely have an opinion about whether you wish you did, and what you might do if the item landed in your lap!

Achieve balance. If you hand curate and quote other sources, be sure to add plenty of your own original content to the lens at the same time.

"Duplicating content" isn't a great practice, and if there's too much duplicated content, that means it's not unique to your lens, right? It could get removed. If it's plagiarized (meaning, you use too much of someone else's content, or you don't cite even the smallest amount), your lens will get removed for sure.

Try original, with a twist: Be the editor in chief of a conversation on your lens. Even if you don't write it all yourself, moderating and adding context to other people's comments creates unique collaborative meaning.

This is an agreement to create, craft, build, bake, innovate, write, opine, talk, storytell, review, recommend, and stand out from the crowd. That's the magic of Squidoo. Thank you for being here.

By continuing to maintain and publish lenses on Squidoo, you are pledging to craft original, unique lenses. We at Squidoo are pledging to you in return that we will continue to support quality work and will help remove low-quality, aggressively non-original lenses.