Make one's name as a writer (5)
I believe the answer is:
signs
'make one's name as a writer' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'make one's name as a writer' is the wordplay.
'make one's name' becomes 'sign' (I've seen this in another clue).
'as a writer' becomes 's' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'sign'+'s'='SIGNS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for signs that I've seen before include "Sings (anag.)" , "Badges" , "Portents or road indicators" , "Mathematician's symbols" , "Autographs" .)