Directed the writer inside to help (5)
I believe the answer is:
aimed
'directed' is the definition.
('aim' can be a synonym of 'direct')
'the writer inside to help' is the wordplay.
'the writer' becomes 'me' (the person who is writing these clues).
'inside' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'to help' becomes 'aid' ('aid' can be a synonym of 'help').
'me' inserted into 'aid' is 'AIMED'.
(Other definitions for aimed that I've seen before include "Set sights on for a dime" , "Media (anag)" , "Pointed towards" , "Focused on as target" , "Tried; pointed" .)