I'm so happy, I could vomit.

I have no idea how to put this. My hands are trembling and I've been running around the house singing Don't Stop Me Now for the last hour.

I told a few people, but not too many for fear that I might not win. But...

The New Writing Partnership run an annual 'competition' called The Talent Escalator, offering mentoring to 10 writers at all points of thier careers. Plus £5000. Sally Cline at uni told me I ought to try out for it to boost my confidence. So, I sent in 3000 words of my writing back in August.

Well...I, um...won.

I'm meeting my new mentor, a children's writer called Gillian, in a swanky cafe in Cambridge in two weeks to discuss where I want to go careerwise, how I want to spend the money, and the next step of the scheme - applying for a Grant For The Arts Award. I was the only young person to win.

My dad danced when I told him. My dad. That just about says it all.