The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word DRABBLE
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
D
R
A
B
B
L
E
More clues leading to the result DRABBLE
- Retiring poet
- Novelist found in dingy island retreat for the most part
- Writer of play about Lear’s end
- Female author and daughter confronting disorderly crowd
- Authoress of play featuring Romeo
- Novelist and daughter ahead of disorderly crowd
- Rowling initially overwhelmed by Potter: she writes adult novels
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Novelist" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case novelist = drabble.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DRABBLE mean?
DRABBLE verb- To wet or dirty, especially by dragging through mud.
- To fish with a long line and rod.
- A short fictional story, typically in fan fiction, sometimes exactly 100 words long.