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The Giant Squids Interviews

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Congratulations New Giant Squids!

****"Giant Squid Interviews" is a legacy page****

I am so excited for the new Giant Squids that it just had to come out in this lens! I want to know who all of them are, how they got be Giant Squids -- to learn about the great (and the harrowing) moments in the process -- if they have any tips for others, what their plans are... Let's ask them!

First Quarter Giant Squids

Happy New Year!

New Giant Squids for First Quarter 2009, please add your lensography or lensmaster page below so everyone can check out your work. Then, get ready to answer some questions for us. We can't wait to hear from you!

2

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TheGreenerMe Lensography

Hi! I'm TheGreenerMe, and I'm here to provide you more...5 points

3

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The ABC's With Monarch13

Hello, my name is Michelle, aka Monarch13.I first more...4 points

7

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Lensography of Anthropos' Lenses

When I began my first lens on May 28, 2008, I neve more...3 points

8

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CDT's Lensography!

Hi, I'm CDT. Welcome to my 'lensography'!If you're more...2 points

9

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Who is Trekkiemelissa?

Trekkiemelissa is the name that I go by online. Wh more...2 points

10

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0ctavias0fferings my Lenses and me

It dawned on me that this Squidoo thing is a reall more...2 points

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Meet WebSpinstress

I'm known as WebSpinstress, because I spin my own more...2 points

Six Questions For The New Giant Squids

Tell us, please!

The following six questions are for the new Giant Squids only. If you are not a new Giant Squid, please save your comments for the Visitor's Section. We do want to hear from you!

 

New Giant Squid's Question 1 of 6

What is your favorite moment in the process of working toward becoming a Giant Squid?

Apologies for having to fill in a Captcha after each question. Still, I hope it's worth your while to participate!

 

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  • Reply
    aesta1 Sep 21, 2011 @ 9:32 pm | delete
    Good to recognize the new giants. Very encouraging.
  • Reply
    Michey Sep 19, 2009 @ 8:10 am | delete
    Very nice collection of people, activities, determination, successes as well.
    I enjoy your lens
    Michey
  • Reply
    OhMe May 21, 2009 @ 8:36 pm | delete
    Just think,your name will be on your Giant Squid lens one day!
  • Reply
    Janusz Apr 6, 2009 @ 7:22 pm | delete
    I didn´t think I would ever make Giant, making Logos took up so much time. Getting the Mail was fantastic!!. Now Im a Giant & an Angel! AND Im blessing this Lens :)
  • Reply
    anthropos Feb 7, 2009 @ 6:48 pm | delete
    After I made my first 20 or so lenses, I decided I wanted to become a Giant Squid. I was shooting for the September 2008 group. I was encouraged when I got my "We've got an eye on you." email. I rushed to get my 50 in time (I did), but I did not have time to adequately polish them as I desired.
  • Reply
    CDT Jan 21, 2009 @ 3:33 am | delete
    My favourite moment was (like pmolinero has already said), the "we've got our eyes on you" email :) It made me feel all warm and fuzzy that did :)

    I had already "kind of" decided that I might have a shot at Giant Squid, but that email encouraged and spurred me on big time...and the rest is history :D
  • Reply
    roysumit Jan 18, 2009 @ 11:23 am | delete
    I am yet to go a long way but targeting to be one some day. Yet to fix any goal for it.
  • Reply
    CCGAL Jan 17, 2009 @ 1:05 pm | delete
    Seeing my profile page with the giant badge on it - that was bliss. It still makes me feel good to look at it.
  • Reply
    Joan4 Jan 15, 2009 @ 10:12 am | delete
    My favorite moment on the road to 100, was the day I finally saw those 3 digits on my dashboard - you have 100 lenses! whew! I waited too late to try to make it, and on deadline day, only had 103 !
  • Reply
    pmolinero Jan 15, 2009 @ 4:55 am | delete
    As I got an email saying "We've got an eye on you." was the first favorite moment and encouraged me to work on becoming a Giant Squid. The second one was after sending the application email end of december and the most favorite moment was finally as I received the email, confirming that I made it.
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New Giant Squid's Question 2 of 6

What is your worst moment in the process of working toward becoming a Giant Squid?

 

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  • Reply
    JaguarJulie Feb 18, 2009 @ 8:33 am | delete
    My worst moment without question was my HARD DRIVE CRASH on 8/31/07 when I was going for the Giant Squid 100 Club -- I found it an opportunity to create another lens on my day-to-day experiences recovering.
  • Reply
    anthropos Feb 7, 2009 @ 6:51 pm | delete
    My worst moment was getting my rejection email for the Fall 2008 submission.
    After checking again the criteria, I knew I had not polished my lens sufficiently to warrant the status. So, I stopped creating so many lenses and started to polish the ones I had. I researched tip on HTML and use of different modules and included as many as I could.
  • Reply
    CDT Jan 21, 2009 @ 3:37 am | delete
    Self- doubt!

    I kept looking at current Giant Squids and their lenses and thinking "everyone is soooooo much more interesting and their lenses are soooooo much better"...because of this I dithered and dithered about submitting the application email and when I finally plucked up courage, did it and there was no turning back, I felt physically sick :D
  • Reply
    CCGAL Jan 17, 2009 @ 1:07 pm | delete
    I was in the middle of packing up to move from CA to TX, so I didn't have a lot of time to go back and tweek my lenses. There were several times I stayed up late going through lenses trying to make them better, when my self-doubt got the better of me and I felt that none of my lenses were good enough. I almost didn't apply because of this self-doubt.
  • Reply
    Joan4 Jan 15, 2009 @ 10:14 am | delete
    My worst moment was the night everyone got notice of Giant Squid and Giant Squid 100 status. I did not get an e-mail and thought I had not made it. But the next morning, my beautiful e-mail arrived! Yippee!
  • Reply
    pmolinero Jan 15, 2009 @ 4:56 am | delete
    I would not call any moment during the process a bad moment. It was a fun time creating lenses and observing the same time with how much effort and success others participated in the Giant Squid Challenge.
  • Reply
    0ctavias0fferings Jan 15, 2009 @ 3:58 am | delete
    Worst moment was when I discovered my Giant badge seemed to have cancelled my Angel badge ... it didn't take long for it to be sorted out but it was a moment of panic. Other than that, I guess I could say that realising I couldn't manage to make 50 quality lenses by the end of the previous quarter (September). I could have managed the 50 but the quality would have slipped in the rush.
  • Reply
    Webcodes Jan 14, 2009 @ 1:27 pm | delete
    I had applied once before and got rejected. I guess second time's a charm.
  • Reply
    spirituality Jan 14, 2009 @ 3:49 am | delete
    When I had a hundred lenses in time for the last deadline and yet didn't get into the group. Made it this time though, so I shouldn't complain :)
  • Reply
    Ener-G Jan 13, 2009 @ 10:14 pm | delete
    Getting the first email saying...sorry, try again!
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New Giant Squid's Question 3 of 6

What Squidoo tip or tips would you like to pass on to aspiring Giant Squids?

 

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  • Reply
    anthropos Feb 7, 2009 @ 6:58 pm | delete
    It gets easier as you go. I had done some web sites previously, but Squidoo had its own learning curve. You need to get familiar with all the modules available, and look for examples of how they are used. Practice the tips from the different lenses on making and improving squidoo lenses. Get a niche but don't neglect to do lenses on anything that interests you. You do your best that way. I started by emphasizing my travel interests because I could do them with a basic template.

    It was only when I started branching out to my other interests that I began to see the more creative ways of presenting my information. And, don't forget the photos and illustrations. Photos can make or break any lens. Sorry, I got carried away. Good luck to the aspiring Giant Squids.
  • Reply
    CDT Jan 21, 2009 @ 3:55 am | delete
    There's no easy way of saying this - but put some effort in!

    You're not going to get to be a Giant Squid by making lenses that have only a handful of modules and which contain very little original content.

    Remember, each lens is your own PERSONAL focus on a topic, so put your own stamp on your subject! If you write about things that interest you, then this should be easy.

    Squidoo has dozens and dozens of diverse modules to help you build and personalise your lenses, so experiment, use your imagination, tell the world about your own viewpoint/recommendations/experiences and create something that's uniquely YOURS ;)
  • Reply
    sittonbull Jan 18, 2009 @ 12:16 am | in reply to seedplanter | delete
    Thanks...That's a good tip I am going to use!
  • Reply
    CCGAL Jan 17, 2009 @ 1:13 pm | delete
    Squidoo is more than just a place to make webpages for free. It's a community of fascinating people. Participate and engage - you'll learn a lot, you'll help others, and you'll just have more fun.
  • Reply
    Joan4 Jan 15, 2009 @ 10:15 am | delete
    Visit SquidU daily, visit lots of lenses, and keep making lenses every day!
  • Reply
    pmolinero Jan 15, 2009 @ 4:56 am | delete
    Play with the existing modules. Learn some basic HTML and CSS. Participate in forums and exchange with other lensmasters. Take advice and tips from others and try to give something back when possible.
  • Reply
    0ctavias0fferings Jan 15, 2009 @ 4:07 am | delete
    Write about what you know and don't give up. They used to say that everyone has a book in them if only they could get it out, well, now you can and it really is easy. Everyone has a unique point of view.
    First look around at what is available already on Squidoo and check out the SquidU forum for any help you need, there is so much help available on Squidoo that you'll soon start to relax and find yourself at home. The SquidU forum is one of the best forums I have found on the net and I guess that's what spurred me on. I like being part of a community which is there to help people.
    Then, when you have an idea for a lens, if you are unsure whether you are doing things right, you'll know where to find the answers, encouragement and help you need ... never be afraid or embarrassed to ask.
    Everyone has a whole bunch of Squidoo lenses in them.
    Good luck to everyone who will try for GiantSquid in the future.
  • Reply
    Webcodes Jan 14, 2009 @ 1:30 pm | delete
    Don't give up. Like I mentioned before, I was rejected the first time. If you do get rejected, there is a great community here and in the forums to help you out. Ask for advice, add bulk to flimsy lenses and you'll be on your way.
  • Reply
    spirituality Jan 14, 2009 @ 3:50 am | delete
    Whatever you do: make unique lenses. Even if the topic has been done by a zillion others - make sure YOURS is unique and different (or don't make it at all).
  • Reply
    Ener-G Jan 13, 2009 @ 10:15 pm | delete
    Definitely invite as many experienced lensmasters to critique your lenses...I got some amazing advice I would never have thought of on my own. I followed absolutely everyone's advice. And it worked (I didn't do this the first time around).
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New Giant Squid's Question 4 of 6

Besides yourself, who played the biggest role in your becoming a Giant Squid?

 

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  • Reply
    JaguarJulie Jul 4, 2009 @ 7:04 am | delete
    You know, when I started on 3/21/06, there weren't that many lensmasters -- the reason I became a Giant Squid is solely due to the invitation/challenge that was extended by Kimberly and Megan in the summer of 2007. Before going for GS, I probably had 40 lenses in my portfolio and had been a member for over 1.25 years. It was these girls' challenging me to become a GS that led to GS 100 and now over 445 lenses. Thanks girls!
  • Reply
    anthropos Feb 7, 2009 @ 7:05 pm | delete
    I have always been a loner. I am very sociable but have mostly relied on myself over the years. But I found that the more I researched what other squidooers were doing, the better my lenses would get (but still far from the quality I want). When I began to comment on other lenses and have mine commented on, that helped.

    I have to give a special Kudo to Jaguar Julie. When I started noticing the list of fans for people, I noticed that she (and a few specific others) seemed to always be near the top of the list (even on my list of fans). Now, I try to review as many lenses as possible, and Julie, when I find someone that I am ahead of you in becoming a fan, I feel like I have accomplished something. I try to become a fan of as many getting started in Squidoo as I can. I know those first few fans did a lot to boost me.
  • Reply
    CDT Jan 21, 2009 @ 4:02 am | delete
    There is no one individual.

    For me, it's been a combination of many, many different lensmasters, both prolific and those whose output is small in comparison to others.

    As is often said, Squidoo is a community and I feel that I've learnt from every lensmaster whose lens I have read!

    Octavia'sOfferings summed up my feelings perfectly it in her comments in this section "...for the inspiration they gave - whether they knew it or not..."
  • Reply
    Margo_Arrowsmith Jan 17, 2009 @ 7:25 pm | delete
    Thanks, I just made it and I appreciate this support . ***** to you!
  • Reply
    CCGAL Jan 17, 2009 @ 1:16 pm | delete
    Joan4 is why I got into Squidoo - the entire Squidoo Community is why I stayed. Squidoo has some of the nicest people on the planet.
  • Reply
    Joan4 Jan 15, 2009 @ 10:18 am | delete
    Oh so many! Squidoo lensmasters must have the support of wonderful people! My sister Ohme, GypsyOwl, Growwear(Mimi) and my super MasterMind Group kept me on track along with a host of other wonderful Squidoo friends! To print all the names would take over this page!
  • Reply
    pmolinero Jan 15, 2009 @ 4:57 am | delete
    There are a lot of other lensmasters, too much to name all of them. Actually Squidoo is a great community of people trying to help one another. But some special thanks I have to give to susannaduffy, who drove me in the right direction after submitting a lens to one of her groups. She rejected the lens, but gave some tips on how to improve the lens quality.
  • Reply
    0ctavias0fferings Jan 15, 2009 @ 4:13 am | delete
    Crikey - that's a difficult question, there are so many lensmasters I could name and I would be sure to miss many out. Many would be there for the inspiration they gave - whether they knew it or not - and others for the practical help and advice. It wouldn't really be fair to pick out a few so let's just say the Squid Community itself.
  • Reply
    Webcodes Jan 14, 2009 @ 1:35 pm | delete
    I looked at other great lenses and it really inspired me. Chefkeem, a_willow, RinchenChodron are some I can think of. Some of the top lenses here are simply amazing.
  • Reply
    monarch13 Jan 14, 2009 @ 7:10 am | delete
    Oh my I left out Chef Keem, who was so awesome to me during this whole journey. Special thanks to that wonderful ManSquid!
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New Giant Squid's Question 5 of 6

Who is not now a Giant Squid but someone you'd like to encourage to become one?

 

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New Giant Squid's Question 6 of 6

What do you plan to do now?

 

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  • Reply
    AndyPo Feb 25, 2009 @ 11:55 am | delete
    I would have to agree with anthropos and Joan4 - time to make some money out of all of my lenses now I've made them.
  • Reply
    anthropos Feb 7, 2009 @ 7:15 pm | delete
    I need to spend more time on monetizing the lenses I have already created to justify all the time I am putting into them already. Of course, all the fun I am having justifies most of the time.

    I will continue to build lenses. I should have over one hundred by the end of the second quarter this year. But quantity is not my goal. I want to continue to do lenses on any subject that strikes my fancy and of a quality that not only I can be proud of, but of enough interest to benefit others.

    I will continue to build relationships with the Squidoo community through Facebook, Twitter, and any other means at my disposal. I have begun already to feel that I "know" many of you, and particularly some of you who are my friends already on Facebook.
  • Reply
    CDT Jan 21, 2009 @ 4:18 am | delete
    To be honest, I'll just be carrying on in exactly the same way as I did before I became a Giant Squid :D.

    I've been here for nearly 2 years, my output isn't prolific by any means, ideas for lenses come to me when they come and if I have time I'll make a lens and if I don't, it'll go on the back burner until life stops getting in the way :)

    I'm like a fussy parent with my lenses...I tweak and polish and cluck over them for ages :)

    It'll be a while before I'm ready to apply for the 100 Club, that's for sure - I'll get there though!

    In the meantime, I'm always happy to offer any help, advice and encouragement to others - just as I've always been :D
  • Reply
    CCGAL Jan 17, 2009 @ 1:22 pm | delete
    I'm going to unpack. I think I may shoot for Giant 100 in March, if unpacking doesn't take too long. The only thing I know for 100% is that my Squiddiction hasn't diminished - Squidoo and Twitter have become parts of my life I am not willing to let go of.
  • Reply
    Joan4 Jan 15, 2009 @ 10:22 am | delete
    Continue to learn how to monetize my lenses, and of course will make some for fun along the way! I will be pushing Ohme, Sittonbull, Mimi, Mukunda22 and Charly, too!
  • Reply
    pmolinero Jan 15, 2009 @ 4:58 am | delete
    Going for the Giant 100 Club and finishing all the WIP lenses I have. Well, I think the latter complements the first.
  • Reply
    0ctavias0fferings Jan 15, 2009 @ 4:20 am | delete
    I plan to keep on going. Onwards and upwards. I'll make the Giant100 at some point this year (I hope), it's unlikely to be in March but I may manage it by the Summer. I have a lot of new lenses planned, it's just a question of which first LOL they're jostling in the queue and if I'm not careful they might start fighting with one another before I get them onto Squidoo.
  • Reply
    Webcodes Jan 14, 2009 @ 1:38 pm | delete
    Write more lenses and reach Giant 100 status. Since I am a web developer, I hope to one day create a content site similar to squidoo some day.
  • Reply
    spirituality Jan 14, 2009 @ 3:51 am | delete
    There are indeed few squidoo goals left. Perhaps I should get a real job?
  • Reply
    Ener-G Jan 13, 2009 @ 10:21 pm | delete
    I'm really excited about building more lenses to make it to 100, and making lenses that make a difference. Stay tune!
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Latest Book from Squidoo's Founder

Seth Godin: Tribes

October 22, Seth will be speaking in New York about his new book, Tribes, at The Big Tribes Event. Learn more of the details at his Tribes Event lens.
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Squidoo King?

Find out more about the
Founder of Squidoo.

List of New Giant Squids 4th Quarter 2008

This module is closed to new additions

You may still vote for your favorite Giant Squid; however, there can be no new additions.

1

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Joan4

10 points

2

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a_willow

6 points

3

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vbright105

5 points

4

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Stazjia

5 points

5

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ebay-grandma

5 points

6

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Bee O'Brien

5 points

7

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Linda Martin

5 points

8

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naturegirl7

5 points

9

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Jewelsofawe

5 points

10

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Susanna Duffy

5 points

11

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Nancy Oram

4 points

12

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stargazer00

4 points

13

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RichLeigh

4 points

14

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Mosaic

4 points

15

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Mac33

3 points

16

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I.C. Jackson

3 points

17

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JasonE

2 points

Important!

Ebay-Grandma

This lens is dedicated to the memory of Pamela Waugh. She made it to Giant Squid, and to honor her work here, and her memory, all monies generated from this lens go to Hope For Henry.

Hope for Henry is a national nonprofit improving the daily lives of children facing life-threatening illnesses by providing them with carefully chosen gifts and specially-designed programs to entertain and promote comfort, care and recovery.

         
The Giant Squids Interviews © 2008 - 2011 GrowWear (MiMi). All Rights Reserved.
Thank you for stopping by and spending time with me. I hope you enjoyed your visit. —MiMi
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Giant Squids Interviews 2009.

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