CLOCK WORD

The solutions from 1 to 12 are all six-letter words ending with the letter N in the centre. Moving clockwise from 1, the letters in the outer circle will spell out the name of an American novelist.

1. Insult

2. Give up one’s post 3. Detain 4. Planet 5. Specialised language 6. Source

7. Paradise 8. Aviator

9. Idea 10. Religious address 11. Flag

12. Piece of cloth