Writer depicts hens around misshapen alders (7,7)

I believe the answer is:

charles dickens

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

'hens around misshapen alders' is the wordplay.
'hens' becomes 'chickens' (I've seen this before).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'misshapen' is an anagram indicator.
'alders' with letters rearranged gives 'arlesd'.
'chickens' placed around 'arlesd' is 'CHARLES DICKENS'.

'depicts' acts as a link.
This may not be right. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for charles dickens that I've seen before include "English novelist" , "Novelist, 1812-70" , "Author" , "Writer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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