Fine writing, if short; some makes the long list (6)
I believe the answer is:
litany
'the long list' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'fine writing if short some' is the wordplay.
'fine writing if short' becomes 'lit' (short for 'literature').
'some' becomes 'any' ('any' can be similar in meaning to 'some').
'lit'+'any'='LITANY'
'makes' is the link.
(Other definitions for litany that I've seen before include "boring recital" , "religious text" , "A series of supplications to God" , "Ceremonial form of prayer" , "Long list (of requests or complaints)" .)