Crossword Genius

Subsequently a learner produces creative kind of thinking (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lateral

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

'kind of thinking' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'subsequently a learner' is the wordplay.
'subsequently' becomes 'later' (subsequently means later on).
'learner' becomes 'l' (as in a learner driver with L-plates on their car).
'later'+'a'+'l'='LATERAL'

'produces creative' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lateral that I've seen before include "to one side" , "Shoot" , "Sidelong" , "Sideways, like creative thinking" , "belonging to the side" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app