Crossword Genius

Russian novelist's work diary written up (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gogol

'russian novelist's' is the definition.
(author Nikolai Gogol)

'work diary written up' is the wordplay.
'work' becomes 'go' (synonyms).
'diary' becomes 'log' (log can mean a record or diary).
'written up' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (in a down clues, letters go up).
'log' in reverse letter order is 'gol'.
'go'+'gol'='GOGOL'

(Other definitions for gogol that I've seen before include "Nineteenth century Russian author" , "Nikolai ---, Gov't Inspector author" , "The Government Inspector author" , "Dead Souls Russ. author" , "Nikolai -, Russian author (Dead Souls)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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