How constructors start when they create puzzles
"Where on the crossword puzzle do creators usually begin? Middle? Lower-right corner?" — Jan Westberg From Christina: The first step of constructing a crossword puzzle is to come up with the theme entries and then place them symmetrically in the grid. Next, the constructor places black squares around them in such a way that the grid can be filled without too much difficulty. Where to go from there really depends on the individual puzzle and the theme entries, and especially on any letters that might be difficult to work with, like J, Q, X, V, K and Z. Take this theme from a puzzle I made with my co-constructor, Taylor Johnson. The revealer was PICKY PICKY PICKY, and each theme entry was a pun on a person who could be described as "picky" — a VEGETABLE FARMER, a BANJO PLAYER and a TEAM CAPTAIN. Right away, there's only one viable answer for 35Down with the letter pattern T?J — so I would start with that slot and plop in TAJ, as in the TAJ Mahal.
Constructors all have their own methods for filling a grid, but nearly everyone would agree the best method is to start in the area of the grid that has the most constraints. The software I use, CrossFire, will show how many possible entries fit in any particular slot if you hover the cursor over them. In the above grid, some areas that are more constrained are 18-Down with T???C, 42-Down with B???Y and 26-Down with ??I. If I see that there are only a few options in an area but they all seem about equal in terms of quality, I might start with one of the long Down slots to try to pick an especially fun "bonus" entry — a long answer that's not thematic. If at any point I end up getting to an area where the options seem limited, and I don't really love any answers, I will rip out some or all of the grid and try starting from a different area to see if it yields better results. In my mind, every puzzle is a piece of art that takes shape in its own way. While you can follow guiding principles for making art, you can't really follow a formula.
Solve Friday's Crossword on Easy Mode!
In today's Wordplay column, Deb Amlen writes about this puzzle. For expert hints on today's puzzle, read her column here. Were you able to solve the Friday puzzle with Easy Mode? We want your input! Share your experience with us on the X platform, on Threads or by email. A Quick Cool-DownHow fast can you solve today's Mini?
Get a ClueMy favorite clue from last week is 21-Down from Saturday, April 12. I like the play on a familiar and lighthearted phrase. 21-Down: Party people?
How are we doing? Thanks for playing! Subscribe to New York Times Games. If you were forwarded this newsletter, you can sign up to receive it regularly here. P.S. The answer to Get a Clue is CATERERS.
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