Crossword Genius

A good time to show the way and shut up a writer (9,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ballpoint pen

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'writer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a good time to show the way and shut up a' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' is present in the answer.
'time' could be 't' (abbreviation) and 't' is located in the answer.
'way' could be 'n' (Compass direction - North) and 'n' is found in the answer.
'and' could be 'n' (common abbreviation for 'and') and 'n' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ballpoint pen that I've seen before include "writer" , "Biro" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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