Crossword Genius

Nothing to write? Make a start! (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

open

'a start' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'nothing to write?' is the wordplay.
'nothing' becomes 'o' (looks like zero - 0).
'to write?' becomes 'pen' ('pen' can be a synonym of 'write').
'o'+'pen'='OPEN'

'make' is the link.

(Other definitions for open that I've seen before include "Freely accessible" , "sporting competition" , "begin to > crack" , "Undo; ajar" , "Not secret or hidden" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app