Crossword Genius

This writer's means of communicating with article heartlessly direct (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

immediate

'direct' is the definition.
('immediate' can be similar in meaning to 'direct')

'this writer's means of communicating with article heartlessly' is the wordplay.
'this writer's' becomes 'im' (the person writing the crossword clues).
'means of communicating' becomes 'media'.
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'article' becomes 'the' (the 'definite article' part of speech).
'heartlessly' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'the' with its middle removed is 'te'.
'im'+'media'+'te'='IMMEDIATE'

(Other definitions for immediate that I've seen before include "Prompt, straightaway" , "Direct" , "Instantaneous" , "Occurring without delay" , "Present" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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