Read everything you can get your hands on, write as much as you can (the good writing lives beneath layers and layers of bad writing, at least in my experience) and be kind to yourself. This isn't easy work, and almost every good story is born of a million failed attempts.

I was so overwhelmed that I honestly didn't do much celebrating. I was in a daze for much of the night, just trying to come to terms with something I didn't seriously think would happen. I ended up not sleeping that night, and then looked like a bit of a zombie on TV the next day

I got to hang out with a group of four incredible writers, all of whom were so, so kind to me. It's such a surreal thing, to be part of something as intense as the Gillers, and having these folks around to talk to and experience all this with was such a privilege.