Freelance Writing Too?

Purely editing projects are rare, even on iFreelance.com. Most projects that are open for bidding deal only with the writing, particularly articles and copy. Because my provider profile is under the Writing/Editing category, the project match alerts I get include writing projects. I have also received a few requests for my freelance writing rates.

But I don't have rates for my freelance writing! I have only set up rates for my editing services because I meant to focus on the editing. But I need supplemental income so I decided to offer freelance writing services too.

I hope to set up the rates before next week. They should be on the official website, iFreelance profile, Facebook page, and Twitter soon.

Leap, Dude, Leap

I just started an editorial and typing service business. Yeah. I did an outline for a business plan, researched my market, carefully read statistics and business start-up info, and created a web site.

Well, I need extra money so I can save enough for a down payment and closing costs. A little moonlight business can help. A former co-worker is moonlighting as a bookkeeper for at least one small company. I figured, I could moonlight too - not as an accountant, but as an editor. I've been writing prose and blogs for years now - specifically, 15 years all told - and I have been editing my nephew and niece's school papers for almost half of that. Plus, I always edit stuff - like news articles, feature articles, company and road signs, other people's blog posts, etc. - in my head.

I thought I could make it as a freelance editor after I worked on Miss KC's essay for her high school IB program. I needed to whittle it down from 600 words to 200. I only managed to reduce it to 400 words, but I tried to rearrange sentences and change the wording so that I could unite her ideas into one decent application essay. Apparently, after I gave it back to Miss KC, they sent it to their editor-friend in New York (yes, the mecca of publishing in the US) for further polishing. I don't know what the final essay looked like, but it probably helped her get in the program. According to Mrs C, their friend said it looked professional - as if a pro editor worked on it. From there, the freelance editorial services business idea was born.

I'm not going to bore you with the details of my research, but it took me two or three weeks before I finished the rough draft of the business plan outline. I still have not finished writing the business plan itself, but I can work from the outline. I even figured out a fair pricing plan: I will be billing based on either word count or page count (depends on the document), rather than on the number of hours I worked on it. Since I have a day job, LOST obsession, and a hint of a social life, the usual pricing basis will not be fair. Anyway, I added document or manuscript typing to widen my market. I would probably do a bit of editing as I type anyway.

So I created a website on Google Sites, because it is free and it is convenient (I am using my other GMail account for the business). It's a decent site - frankly, Microsoft Publisher can do better - but it works. The site is almost complete; I only need to complete my bio and to figure out how to make the file upload page work and secure for my customers. Check it out, if you'd like.

Also, a thought came to me last Saturday: Why don't I actually study editing? Simon Fraser University has a Writing and Publishing Program, which is based in the City of Vancouver. There is a Certificate in Editing program, but all applicants need to complete Editors and Editing: An Introduction. So I registered for the online course, which starts on July 1st (a.k.a. Canada Day) and should be completed after four months. I hope I get to finish all the requirements so I can apply to the Certificate program. And for $420, I'd better!

Now, I need customers. So, if you need someone to polish your work, then let me know. Pricing is on the website, and you'll find it cheap and reasonable.

And, oh, this feels so much like Ted Mosby on How I Met Your Mother's Season 4 finale ("The Leap"). Although the field is still architecture, teaching is an entirely different career. With the help of his friends, he took the metaphorical leap and left the architectural practice to teach. My situation is different, but the action is the same: I also took the metaphorical leap by moonlighting as a freelance editor and by studying editing. I actually remember telling my old boss (from the one that laid off the entire Burnaby finance department) that I want to go into the literary/publishing field. Ten months after, I finally made good on that statement. Let's hope I become successful enough so I only have to work part-time as an accountant. Hehehe...

Condo Hunt: Davenport and The Rockport

Two weeks ago, I had a bit of a free time and I was able to look at MLS listings. I compiled five of them and sent the list to my realtor. Shortly afterwards, my mother made an excellent point that I should choose a place that is close to everything (e.g. groceries, Shoppers Drug Mart, bank, et cetera). I know that two of the listings that I gave my realtor are located near Willowbrook Mall. So I asked her if we could just see those two.

So last Thursday afternoon, we met in front of the Davenport, which is located near the intersection of 197 Street and 69 Avenue and was built in 1997. We looked at a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom unit on the top floor. We noted that it is a long walk from the elevator to the unit, so obviously that's a bit of an issue for me - being a single gal and all. When we entered the unit, we were instantly greeted by the sunlight coming from the huge door leading to the spacious balcony. We went out to the balcony and assessed it; the view is nice and it is, up to that point, the biggest patio/balcony I had seen. The noise from the street can be heard, but it likely won't bother me; being on the top floor helps. The unit has laminate floors - obviously not real hardwood floors, but these will do. The living room is as spacious as it can be - with the sellers' stuff in the unit, it's not quite easy to see how spacious it really is. The kitchen and eating area are decent, although there are no stainless steel appliances (the unit is 12 years old and the refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher are probably from when the building was built) and no granite countertops. Personally, as long as the appliances still work, it's fine. The mirrors they installed give the illusion that the living area is bigger than it really is, so kudos to the sellers for that. The den/office is nicely sized and bright because of the two windows in it. The bedroom at the end of the short hallway is enough - not too big, not too small - for my needs. To our surprise, the closet is quite big and has enough space for my clothes! From the bedroom, there is a door to the bathroom that can be closed/locked when there are guests. The bathroom is decent and nicely sized. I might replace some of the lighting, as well as the major appliances, but the unit isn't too bad, given the age of the building. It is well-maintained and bright. The list price is $184,900, or $249.53 per square foot. 

Then we went to The Rockport, a mere two-minute walk from Davenport. Like the other complex, it is also a low-rise building. The unit that we looked at was at the first floor, although we had to take the elevator to reach the first floor. It is the third door from the elevator, so it is much easier for me to carry the groceries, et cetera. The first room we saw was the small den/office. The built-in storage units are great and the office space is enough for me. I only hope my desk fits! The kitchen is painted with a warm green and great cabinets. Like the Davenport unit, the appliances may be as old as the building (i.e. 11 years old) and may need to be replaced further down the road. The bathroom walls and cabinetry match the kitchen, and is decently sized. Across it, the bedroom is spacious enough - the closet is as big as the one in the Davenport unit - and has dark hardwood floors - which I love (the floor for the rest of the unit is light wood)! The huge patio can be seen from the bedroom window. Really, the patio is huge! There's a covered section, and there's a garden area. That would be freakin' awesome during the summer and spring, although I have a purple thumb (this girl don't have a green thumb). My realtor did say that I can just put plants in giant pots. The sellers are also upgrading the unit while it's on the market, so kudos to them as well. Overall, the unit is well-maintained and doesn't feel like it is only 629 square feet. Anyway, the unit is selling for $178,900, or $284.42 per square foot.

The best thing about these two units? They are both close to the following:

• Bus stop;
• TD Canada Trust, where I bank;
• Willowbrook Mall;
• The Real Canadian Superstore;
• Shoppers Drug Mart;
• My doctor; and
• My dentist.

Perfect location, location, location!

Now, I have decided that I am going to buy one of them. Which one? I'm not saying. I just need to pony up $20,000 for the downpayment. If only Hurley can lend me the money... Hehehehe...

Stay tuned. ;)

Condo Hunt: Back to Madison Villas

The C's, my mom, and I went back to Madison Villas at Brydon Creek today. Mr C liked that building because it would make it easier for him and Mrs C to get to work. I liked it because of the price, although I'm wary about the access to transit.

My mom convinced me to look at the one-bedroom + flex room unit. She said that I'm single and I don't need a two-bedroom unit. So, the real estate agent showed us a suite on the first floor that is similar to the show home: 1-bedroom + flex room, 1-bathroom. It is approximately 688 square feet, and at $169,900, it is $246.95 per square foot. I was more open to the idea of getting a one-bedroom unit, because it is much cheaper and is just the right size for me. We looked at the identical second-floor unit. Finally, we went up to the third floor 1-bedroom + flex room, 1-bathroom unit. I discovered that the utility/storage room is much bigger in the 1-bedroom unit than in the 2-bedroom units that we previously looked at. Also, the flex room is big enough to be my office. The en-suite bathroom can be closed off when I have guests so they would not have access to my bedroom; the idea of my guests having access to my bedroom through the bathroom made me wary of the 1-bedroom unit, although I knew that it would be much cheaper. The master bedroom does not have a walk-in closet, but it has two closets that can fit my clothes. I can always keep my current dresser. There are furniture and appliances available that are ideal for small spaces, so I just need to find a good deal for the bed, dining set, couch, patio furniture, et cetera. The unit faces the east and the window is huge, so there are loads of natural light.

The monthly strata fee is much cheaper than I had anticipated. The annual property taxes are also relatively low. A good deal, isn't it?

Unfortunately, there are other buyers interested in the unit, so I really need to act soon. I've been pre-approved for a $200,000 mortgage. I don't worry about the monthly mortgage payments. I am kinda worried about the down payment, though. I haven't had enough saved for a down payment. It's my stupid spending habits, I know! I am waiting on my brother's answer - whether or not he'd be able to help me with the down payment. I do hope he will. Otherwise, I might have to wait a long, long, long time to save enough.

Of course, it also needs to be God's will. I need to speak with God about that. Soon.

Stay tuned.

Female Musicians Join Voices for Charity Song

Fifteen female singers - including Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, Natasha Bedingfield, Sheryl Crow, Beyonce Knowles, and Mary J. Blige - recorded "Just Stand Up," sales of which will benefit cancer research.

All sales, as in 100 per cent.

Rihanna, Fergie, Miley Cyrus, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti, Keyshia Cole, Ciara, Leona Lewis, and LeAnn Rimes round up the 15 singers who recorded the song. It was conceived and produced by Antonio "L.A." Reid, along with Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. "Just Stand Up" will be available on the radio and iTunes on 2 September 2008.

These 15 singers will perform the song live three days later during "Stand Up to Cancer," a TV special to be aired simultaneously on ABC, CBS, and NBC. Jennifer Aniston, Lance Armstrong, Meryl Streep, and Reese Witherspoon, among others, are expected to appear on the fund- and awareness-raising program.

Founded in 2007, Stand Up to Cancer is a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that calls on entertainment-industry people and platforms to help fight cancer.

For more information, go to the official website of Stand Up to Cancer.

Who Are You Running For?

The 17th Annual Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure will be held on 5 October 2008. I donated last year, so I received the following e-mail today:

This year’s participants have been working hard to fundraise for the Run. Can they count on your support again? If you’d like to sponsor your favourite participant and help them reach their goal, click here to find their personal page and make a donation. Making a donation is fast, easy and secure. If you’ve already sponsored someone, thank you!

If you don’t know anyone participating in this year’s Run but would like to support the Foundation, click here to make a general donation and sponsor our Virtual Runner.

Your donation will fund research in all areas of breast cancer including education and prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and after-care supports. Find out how your gift is helping the Foundation lead the way in breast cancer research by clicking here.

Thank you very much for your ongoing support!

I helped raise over CDN $27 million "towards creating a future without breast cancer." Naks! I'll also donate this year; not only will I help fund breast cancer research, but I will also get an income tax deduction!

To learn more about the Run, please go to the CIBC Run for the Cure website or to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation website.

DocArzt's "Highway to Hawaii Raffle"

I'm a big fan of DocArzt of The Tailsection, one of the best LOST fan sites. Well, any LOST fan is great in my books anyway. But having a day job at BuddyTV.com, having a family, and maintaining a LOST fan site at the same time is incredible in my books.

Anyway, DocArzt was invited to visit the LOST set as a guest of the LOST crew. That's freakin' fantastic, right? Unfortunately, he and his family is spending a lot of money for his oldest son's stay in a development disabilities program, he won't be financially ready for the Oahu trip.

So he's having a raffle/fundraiser titled "Highway to Hawaii Raffle." Here's how it works, straight from his article:

For a minimum donation of $1.00 you will receive an entry. Each $5.00 donated on top of the first dollar will get you an additional entry. On October 10th we will publish the complete list of everybody’s number of entries for download. The list will be printed, cut into strips, and on October 15th, via live streaming video on the BuddyTV chat appliance, I will draw 10 names from a fishbowl. The winners will be announced live, and published on the website

Entrants will not be named, every entrant will be assigned a number and will be contacted through email with that number.

Winners will provide DocArzt with head shots, which will be blown to life-size, printed out, and attached on sticks. If the LOST cast and crew allow him to take photographs of cast members and/or LOST shooting locations, he will try his darnedest to include the winners' head shots in the photos. They might not let him, though. But he'll try anyway.

For more information, please click here or the photo for the article.

Clicking the Pay Pal logo at the bottom of the article will bring you to this:

Just follow the instructions and then you'll be sent an e-mail confirmation. Voila! You're all done.

I did it in less then five minutes, at work, just before my boss came in. (Hehe.)

And now you can also help for free! Just follow the links on the original article.

Donated? Done?

Awesome!