I’m traveling more for work these days, and not just in my little Teardrop Trailer. So my pups can’t join me on these expeditions.
What’s a dog mom to do?
Line up a roster of backup doggie parents as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, that’s not as easy as it sounds.
I’ve worked from home for so long that my dogs don’t know anything else. I used to leave them behind when I’d head out for an appointment or to run errands. After I acquired Ziggy (number four if you’re counting), my departures seemed to inspire peeing-in-the-house competitions. Since I wasn’t there, I never knew exactly who to blame. So I simply started taking them with me.
Who says I’m not trainable?
The pups hang out in their beds—one for each of them—which take up the entire back of my Subaru Outback, and go to sleep almost as soon as I park the car. Occasionally, a couple of dog friends come along as well.
In short, my guys are rarely left behind. Which means that I need a dog sitter who will be willing to hang with them, or take them along, 24/7. Someone who will love them and play with them. Someone who I can trust to care for them. So I made calls to those dog sitters I’d been told about. I cast a net and asked people I knew for referrals. I interviewed everyone. And I found what I needed.
If we apply the same system to choosing a writing coach, the process breaks down to a few simple steps.
- You figure out why you want to hire a writing coach. Are you looking for encouragement? Accountability? Brainstorming? Publishing guidance? To better your writing? All of the above?
- Those answers will tell you what and who you need to look for.
- Search for writing coaches online and ask the people around you if they know of anyone.
- Interview prospective writing coaches to see if they meet your criteria. You might even ask to speak with a couple of their clients.
- Then evaluate your instinctual response to that initial consultation. You’re going to be spending a lot of time opening up to this coach as you bear your writing and potentially even your soul. Even if the writing coach fits the bill completely, make sure that both the conversation and the fit feel right.
- If your answer is yes, then go for it.
Hmm. If only finding a mate could be that easy.
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