A love story about a student composer who eventually became stifled in her affair with an inspiring but intense young man has won this year's Katherine Mansfield award.
Alice Miller was presented with the short story award, worth $10,000, for her story The Windmill at a ceremony in Wellington on Monday night.
The 26-year-old Wellington writer said the main male character, Steven, was a man with an amazing imagination who was "enchanting and can make you giddy", but who also had the potential of overpowering people.
The story had drawn some parallels with Miller's own life as she once was a "fledgling" composer, like the main character Ellie.
Miller admitted Steven resembled "some people" she had known, but would not be drawn on any further details.
Award judge Dame Fiona Kidman said the story "tripped her heart".
"It captures beautifully the essence of young student life, apparently casual love affairs set against the intensity of study and creativity, while at the same time illustrating that the choices made are never as random as they may appear on the surface."
One of the youngest-ever Katherine Mansfield award recipients, Miller's story stood out in a tough competition with a record number of almost 1800 entries, Dame Fiona said.
In winning the award, Miller joins New Zealand literary heavyweights CK Stead, Frank Sargeson, Vincent O'Sullivan and Keri Hulme.
Far North woman Karen Phillips won the novice category for her story The Visit, and Emma Robinson, a Year 12 student at Awatapu College in Palmerston North, won the youth category for her tale Skipped the Censor.
The pair each won $1500.
