A reader can do so, literally (5)
I believe the answer is:
write
'a reader can do' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with creating things as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for write that I've seen before include "what an author must do" , "Draft" , "Put down in black and white" , "Inscribe" , "Create (manuscript)" .)