When setting goals, it’s important to reward yourself when you achieve your landmark. Thus said, I finished the first half of my WIP and decided it was time for a treat. I proceeded to Nordstrom Rack to shop for bargains on new clothes. After this delightful excursion, my husband and I headed to Orlando for a day at Disney’s EPCOT. The Flower Festival is in full swing, and we admired the brilliantly colored flowerbeds displayed throughout the park. A troupe of child dancers from Canada entertained us at one of the outdoor theaters before we proceeded to Chefs de France for lunch. I had a chicken crepe and hubby had vegetarian lasagne. Stuffed full, we meandered around World Showcase, browsing in the shops and exclaiming over the authentically designed buildings reflective of France, Germany, Japan, Italy, etc. EPCOT and the Animal Kingdom are my favorite Disney parks. Note that we didn’t go on any rides. We’ve been on most of them, and my husband doesn’t like to stand in line. So we skipped the attractions this time but had plenty to do strolling the pleasant paths, admiring the architecture and landscaping.

Friday, I visited the Thorlo outlet on International Drive in Orlando to stock up on my favorite socks. Then we headed to Leesburg which is northeast of Orlando, to take a stroll through the Venetian Gardens. This is a small park on a huge lake, but we enjoyed the winding lakeside trail and its numerous arched wooden bridges. The trees in this hilly territory are draped with Spanish moss, reminiscent of the Old South. That night, I gave a presentation at the library with fellow authors Lisa Manual (aka Allison Chase) and Cynthia Thomason. We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express on the Dead River in Tavares and ate a light meal at the Harborside waterfront restaurant.

The next day found us lost in Clermont, forty-five minutes south on Rt 27. We passed the Lakeridge Winery on the way but it wasn’t open yet. After stopping in the Clermont library for directions to the Women’s Club, I made it to the little white house where myself, Lisa, and Cindy presented an all-day Fiction Writers Workshop (Note: Contact me if you are interested in having us present this intensive workshop in your Florida town). Then it was back to our condo in Orlando in the midst of torrential rains. Usually the rains and heat don’t start until May or June, so this may herald the predictions a stormy hurricane season. If we’re lucky, we’ll get a system of high pressure again to keep the tempests far to the south. Anyway, that's a few months off.  Now we're back home and I'm going through the mail.

Next time you're going to hit the outlets, give me a call. I'm minutes away. And I'm a mutant, because I don't like shopping, so I need someone to encourage me to replenish my outdated wardrobe. Wardrobe? More like stuff I can throw on so I don't get arrested, although I'm sure the fashion police would love to take me in.

I'm trying to reward myself for finishing my synopsis. A 3 pager, required by my agent. 100,000+ words distilled to 1600? No easy task with two character arcs (relationship) plus an action adventure plot.

A 3-page synopsis? That's tough. Of course, any synopsis is difficult to write. Sure, reward yourself when you're done. Everything helps! And I'll keep you in mind on my next trip to the outlet mall.