WORD SPIRAL

Starting from 1, fill in the grid clockwise with four-letter words. The last letter of each word becomes the first letter of the next to reveal a novelist.

1. Applaud

2. Shove

3. Sings with closed lips

4. Thin paste

5. Paradise

6. Signals agreement

7. Plant ovule

8. Opposite of up

9. Midday

10. Inert gas

11. Pleasant

12. Hearing organs

13. Large gulp of drink

14. Very serious, gloomy

15. Repast

16. Fortune