Step 7: Award-winning novelist Lucy Atkins explains the importance of crafting believable characters and offers advice on how to bring them to life

Award-winning novelist Lucy Atkins explains why the location of your novel is a crucial platform from which your plot and characters can grow

In step one of the creative process, award-winning novelist, Lucy Atkins, invites you to take yourself seriously, but to tell no one you are writing a novel.

Step 4: Award-winning novelist, Lucy Atkins, says this month’s task is to probe your characters and their circumstances, and turn up the heat

Step 2: Award-winning novelist, Lucy Atkins, says let your imagination run wild this month, and don’t get too tied down by thinking of a plot, just yet…

Step 3: Award-winning novelist, Lucy Atkins, says a mental shift is needed this month – your writing should be a top priority, not an afterthought

Step 5: Award-winning novelist, Lucy Atkins, says this month’s task is to let that initial draft flow freely, but be ready to hack it back when the time comes

Psychologies’ editor-in-chief Suzy Walker signs up for coaching to learn how to be a better public speaker

Entrepreneur, designer and public speaker Baroness Michelle Mone started life in the East End of Glasgow with few resources, leaving school at 15 with no qualifications. She’s built a career from being bra designer and founder of Ultimo Lingerie to be one of the most well-known entrepreneurs in the UK. Here she shares her secrets of success and resilience with Suzy Walker