A pen or its holder (6,6)

'holder' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'a pen' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'pen' could be 'write' (synonyms) and 'write' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'or its' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?