Auto writer has attempt at trade (9)
I believe the answer is:
carpentry
'trade' is the definition.
(carpentry is a kind of trade)
'auto writer has attempt' is the wordplay.
'auto' becomes 'car' (synonyms).
'writer' becomes 'pen' (I've seen this before).
'has' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'attempt' becomes 'try' (synonyms).
'car'+'pen'+'try'='CARPENTRY'
'at' is the link.
(Other definitions for carpentry that I've seen before include "Craft of a woodworker" , "part of building" , "Joining work" , "Woodworking" , "Trade" .)