Novelist as robust ... (5)
I believe the answer is:
hardy
This clue is a double definition.
'novelist' is the first definition.
(Hardy is a novelist)
'robust' is the second definition.
(similar in meaning)
'as' is the link.
(Other definitions for hardy that I've seen before include "Brave" , "able to meet tough conditions" , "Writer" , "Robust - English novelist" , "Resistant to frost etc" .)