Crossword Genius

Star writer has a complicated problem (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pentangle

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'star' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'writer has a complicated problem' is the wordplay.
'writer' becomes 'pen' (something which writes).
'has' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a complicated problem' becomes 'tangle' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'pen'+'tangle'='PENTANGLE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pentangle that I've seen before include "Pentagram" , "mystic symbol" , "Five-pointed star" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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