Pieces written in difficult times? (5)

I believe the answer is:

items

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'pieces written in' is the definition.
'items' can be an answer for 'pieces' (I've seen this in another clue). I am unsure of the 'written in' bit.

'difficult times?' is the wordplay.
'difficult' indicates an anagram.
'times' anagrammed gives 'ITEMS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for items that I've seen before include "separate parts of news bulletin" , "Things listed" , "Individual units" , "Couples" , "Individual parts" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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