Play character gives the writer a turn (4)
I believe the answer is:
iago
'play character' is the definition.
'iago' can be an answer for 'character' (I've seen this before). I'm not certain of the 'play' bit.
'the writer a turn' is the wordplay.
'the writer' becomes 'I' (the person who is writing these clues).
'turn' becomes 'go' (a person's move in a board game).
'i'+'a'+'go'='IAGO'
'gives' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for iago that I've seen before include "The villain who tricked Othello" , "Othello's nemesis" , "Othello's enemy" , "villainous ensign" , "Shakespeare's jealous villain" .)