I was five years into my first novel from initial spark to eleven chapters, rewriting and wandering to and fro, when I attended Angela’s clinic. I said, “I spent a week writing my one-page summary.” She said, “I’ll teach you how to in fifteen minutes.” I learned how to create a simple skeleton for my story; how to introduce my main character in her normal life before introducing the inciting incident; and if I have a second protagonist I’ll have to kill her off.

Angela has attended New York literary agent Donald Maass’s “Breakout Novel” writing clinics, incorporating some of his expertise in her sessions. I attended one of Don’s in 2001 before his workshops became so renowned & expensive. Angela recommends Don’s books but she shares information in her sessions you can’t get from a book.

Donald Maass books

• Writing the Breakout Novel
• Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook: Writing Exercises to put the Instruction into Action
• The Fire in Fiction: Passion, Purpose and Techniques to Make Your Novel Great
• The Breakout Novelist: Craft and Strategies for Career Fiction Writers