Crossword Genius

Back outspoken comic writer (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sterne

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

'writer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'back outspoken comic' is the wordplay.
'back' becomes 'stern' (stern is a kind of back).
'outspoken comic' becomes 'e' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'stern'+'e'='STERNE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sterne that I've seen before include "Writer" , "Laurence ..., author of 'Tristram Shandy'" , "Laurence ---, novelist; sounds hard" , "Author of Tristram Shandy, d. 1768" , "Irish-born novelist (A Sentimental Journey)" .)

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app