Novel mentality, to some extent wooden (5)

I believe the answer is:

elmen

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'extent wooden' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't judge whether this works.

'novel mentality to some' is the wordplay.
'to some' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ELMEN' is hidden in the letters of 'novel mentality'.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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