A shot at writing (5)
I believe the answer is:
essay
This clue is a double definition.
'a shot' is the first definition.
(I know that essay is a type of shot)
'writing' is the second definition.
(I know that essay is a type of writing)
'at' is the link.
(Other definitions for essay that I've seen before include "Try; a piece of writing" , "Make an effort to write one" , "School compeosition" , "Thesis" , "Composition; attempt" .)