Cryptic crossword clue
Subterfuge a vital expedient, when one’s lacking as a writer 7,8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 plus 8 letter word GUSTAVE FLAUBERT

I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "a writer /a writer" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case a writer /a writer = gustave flaubert.
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.

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