The Text/Write Module is Your Best Friend!
I love the Write module. It's really one of my very favorites... you can do anything with it. It is one of the easiest ways to make your lens stand out.
It is the primary carrier of your best content, originally written information or stories, and it is super flexible for almost any topic in the world!
Let me show you some tricks.
Short and Sweet

Take a look at the very short write modules sprinkled throughout this French Alps lens.
There's no reason a Write module has to be long.
What's Link List got that I ain't got?!
A "Write! (And Add A Photo)" module
You can upload a picture from your own computer to accompany the text for your write module. That means, you can talk about careers for teddy bears, and include a great picture, like this one.By using just a little html, you can also add some links, like this:
Boohbah
This silly page is all about the Boohbah television show for little kids.
Teletubbies
But maybe you prefer your aliens a little less weird.
And you can include more information after the links if you like. That's something the Link List module won't let you do.
And here's the Link List module
But I can list some links...
- Andrew Vachss
- This page is about an incredible, but little known hero for kids and rescue dogs.
- Salt:: The Gourmet Guide
- In case you want a great cooking secret!
Think you're limited to one little picture?
Think again!
But what if I want more pictures? BIGGER pictures? Or I want them to link somewhere? The regular photo won't link.
Insert a picture that you have on the web somewhere using this html code:
<img src="http://www.______.com/______.jpg" />
Actually, I add some extra stuff to make it float over to the left, and show you the text on the right. I'll show you the code for this picture in a minute.For this picture, which I have stored on flickr.com, I got the code, the url, directly from flickr. I got it by clicking on my picture, then choosing "all sizes" and then the size I wanted (anything under about 400 pixels wide). The url was then given to me, with the ability to highlight and copy and paste it.
Here's the code, including the url. Experiment with changing right to left, and vice versa, and changing the numbers.
The line, including the link, looks like this:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sacredsong/241532376/">
<img style="float:left; margin-right:40px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/97/241532376_f59dfa6a38_m.jpg" /></a>
Cool Write Module Hacks and Tricks
- Add lots of pictures, and place them by using style inside the <img> tag. Don't just depend on the one picture you can upload, and don't line them all up along the side.
- Use picture sizes up to about 400 pixels. Use pictures less than 200 pixels wide if you want to include text next to the picture.
- Put in a picture with Amazon link if the Amazon module won't do what you want it to. The Amazon module won't let you keep entering text below the picture of the book or other merchandise. The write module will.
- Include a list within a bunch of text using <ul> (unordered, bullet list) or <ol> (ordered, numbered list). The list module won't let you enter text *after* the list. The Write Module will.
- Don't be afraid to keep your write modules short. People don't read thick text online. Keep their attention with short comments, quotes, and bullet points.
- Make a numbered list with lots of content by using a Write Module for each numbered item. Put the numbers in the module title.
- Project a clean, open image by using pictures with white backgrounds, especially in short Write modules.
Make a list with the Write module.
Because of it's open-ended nature, the Write module can do almost anything.
Look!
It can make a list with a picture next to it:
My favorite modules
- Write Module
- Amazon Module
- Guestbook Module
- Link List Module
Here's how I did that:
<p><img style="float:right; margin-left: 30px;" src= "http://www.margaretschaut.com/picture.jpg" />Look! It can make a list with a picture next to it:</p>
<p>
My favorite modules
<ol>
<li>Write Module</li>
<li>Amazon Module</li>
<li>Guestbook Module</li>
<li>Link List Module</li>
</ol></p>
Include a block quote

This is a copy of one of my favorite write modules, from a lens about foreign policy. It uses <em> and </em> to make italicized text (put it between the two), includes plenty of links, and it creates a blockquote using <p style="margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 50px;">
On the subject of the Iran, which looks like it might become the next locale for the war-on-terror, here's a quote from Of Imperial Presidents and Congressional Cowards by Patrick Buchanan.
In all this hawk talk, something is missing. We are not told how many innocent Iranians we will have to kill as we go about smashing their nuclear program and defenses. Nor are we told how many more soldiers we will need for the neocons' new war, nor how long they will have to fight, nor how many more wings we should plan for at Walter Reed, nor when it will be over - if ever.
Moreover, where does Bush get the authority to launch a war on a nation that has not attacked us? As few believe Iran is close to a nuclear weapon, while four neighbors - Russia, India, Pakistan and Israel, not to mention the United States - already have the bomb, what is America's justification for war?
God save us, that's the right wing talking.
More places to learn
- Ask a Question!
- The Lensmaster Lounge is a great place to ask questions, and meet other lensmasters.
- SquidU
- SquidU is the University where you can learn all the inside outs of Squidoo lenses.
- CafePress Pantry
- Not familiar with Cafe Press? That's OK! Our resident 'Smiley Face' explains the module and its many uses here!
- eBay on Squidoo
- If you want to add some great and possibly rare items to your lens, the eBay module can help.
- Amazon Module Basics
- Here are some of the basic steps in using the Amazon module.
- Pimp My Lens Group
- All the best and most fabulous tips and techniques for making your lenses drop-dead gorgeous!
If you're new, take a look here!
You might find some useful tips and techniques here!-
How to Make Your First (or Second) Squidoo Lens
-
Step-by-step, here's how to get started, answers to clear up some confusion, and all the basics to help you be a GREAT lensmaster right off the bat! There are FAQs, instructions, tips and techniques, common mistakes, some strategies and some technic...
My New Squidoo'in Blog
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If this lens is helpful, please scroll up and rate it by clicking a star!
Have questions about the Write module? Want to share your very cool lens? Drop me a line.
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OhMe
I learned a lot of great tricks from reading your lens. Thank you. 5* Posted August 20, 2008 |
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dannystaple
I have noticed that by only using the subtitle on a test/write module, it can be made to look like a subsection, with a H2. The Amazon spotlight module is really handy for more detailed Amazon stuff, not least because it has a straight text/basic html area. Good lens. This one is sure to always be a hit. Posted August 15, 2008 |
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Pamela2Heaven
Very informative Posted August 13, 2008 |
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miragana
Its a very nice lens. I like the content. It is very informative. Posted August 13, 2008 |
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miragana
Its a very nice lens. I like the content. It is very informative. Posted August 13, 2008 |
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