Author Didion (4)
I believe the answer is:
joan
'author didion' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for joan that I've seen before include "- Plowright, actress" , "First name of the Maid of Orleans" , "- Sutherland, Australian soprano" , "Darby and --, -- of Arc" , "- - Collins, actress" .)