Writer with song preference (8)
I believe the answer is:
penchant
'preference' is the definition.
('penchant' can be a synonym of 'preference')
'writer with song' is the wordplay.
'writer with' becomes 'pen' (I've seen this in other clues).
'song' becomes 'chant' (I've seen this before).
'pen'+'chant'='PENCHANT'
(Other definitions for penchant that I've seen before include "Disposition" , "weakness" , "Predilection, preference" , "Partiality" , "Fondness (for) - bias (towards)" .)