The milestones in a writer's life often happen quietly. Seeing your byline on that first published article, poem, or short story. Cashing that first check. That first time a newspaper or magazine editor calls and asks you to write an article because he saw something else you wrote. Getting a full-time job as a journalist or technical writer. The thrill of reading an email from an agent asking for the entire manuscript. Holding the first copy of your published novel feels like holding your firstborn. Earning the first royalty check. Receiving a pin in the mail.

Today, one of those milestones occurred. I have been a member of Romance Writers of America since 2010. This fine organization has different membership levels. The first level is the general member. After a few years, I earned PRO membership, which meant I was seriously working toward publication by submitting my queries and manuscript to agents and publishers. I taught workshops on dialogue and actively served in two chapters of the RWA. A sweet lady at RWA, Carol Ritter, walked me through the process of applying for the PAN status. I've already warned her that she's getting a big hug at the RWA conference this summer!

The latest milestone is a PAN pin. I received my little gold pin, which means I'm part of the Published Author Network of RWA. I think I heard Handel's "Messiah" playing when I opened the box. The pin even has a little bling, a sparkle in the middle. Yes, I am in my sparkle phase. When Handsome arrived home from work, he reacted to the pin with a hug and "congratulations." Okay, it isn't a Pulitzer or a big fat royalty check, but it marks a big leap of progress in this new author's life. So I'm gonna celebrate.

I can wear my pin with joy as a published author. Oh, hey, if you read any of my books, please post a few stars and a sentence or two about it on Amazon, Goodreads, or social media.

May you celebrate something in your life today!