The man you've just mentioned is but a poor apology for a writer. His writings are tedious.

你刚才提到的那个作家不过是个有名无实的人。他的作品太没意思了。

6.绞尽脑汁 to rack one's brain

He had racked his brain, but hadn't been able to work out the answer to the problem.

他已经绞尽脑汁了，可是仍未找到问题的答案。