I had a conversation this morning with a fellow writer who was in a deep dark place with his new book. Not that he had no ideas; he had plenty. And not that he has no tools, skills, talent: this is a very gifted guy. But, he said, he was feeling like when you've decided to make soup. You know just what you're going to do: heat up some broth, chop up carrots and onions, and then to be fancy put in a little dill. Except when you go to the cupboard where the pots are, there's no saucepan. And…

Many National SinC members are fortunate enough to participate in

regional chapters. These chapters meet at different places around

the country, from Alaska to Florida, and from California to New

York. For those who aren't geographically near enough to participate

in person, there are the Internet Chapter and the Guppies. With all

of these active groups there are as many chapter personalities as

there are chapters. Some are mostly made up of writers, some mostly…