Goodness! Expensive, this writer (4,2)
I believe the answer is:
dear me
'goodness' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot judge whether it can be defined by this definition.
'expensive this writer' is the wordplay.
'expensive' becomes 'dear' (similar in meaning).
'this writer' becomes 'me' (the person who wrote the clues).
'dear'+'me'='DEAR ME'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dear me that I've seen before include "What a pity" , "how distressing!" , "Mild expression of distress from expensive self" , "how sad" , "Expression of dismay" .)