This writer leads the way, penning good collection (7)
I believe the answer is:
melange
'collection' is the definition.
(melange is a kind of collection)
'this writer leads the way penning good' is the wordplay.
'this writer' becomes 'me' (the person who is writing these clues).
'leads' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'the way' becomes 'lane' (lane is a kind of way).
'penning' indicates putting letters inside.
'good' becomes 'g' (abbreviation).
'lane' going around 'g' is 'lange'.
'me'+'lange'='MELANGE'
(Other definitions for melange that I've seen before include "Miscellany" , "Gallimaufry" , "mixed collection" , "Varied mixture" , "A French mixture of me with angel" .)