Words: 18
Average Length: 5.00
I’ve always loved the print that’s referenced in 8 Across. I used the artist’s name as the seed, and then crossed it with the subject of the artwork and a long-time Japanese emperor. Best solved with a warm glass of sake.
Words: 28 (9×9)
Average Length: 4.79
Here’s the second puzzle inspired by my playlist of songs that lift my spirits. As in the first in this series, songs on the playlist are marked with an asterisk. Once again, email me at JeffsPuzzles@gmail.com if you’d like me to send you the complete playlist. I’m also curious what songs other people rely on to put them in a good mood – you can include your list in comments on the puzzle or just send me an email. Thanks!
Words: 18
Average Length: 5.00
I’ve been constructing for several years now, with several hundred puzzles under my belt (keeping all the gelato, chips, etc. company). For the first couple of years, I focused mostly on learning how to construct a grid with minimal dreck and interesting fill.
Now, I feel like the greatest challenge in crossword construction – and one that is not often enough met in major outlet crosswords – is coming up with clues that exploit the vagaries of the English language, entertain, educate, and reflect the constructor’s personality. (I promise I have one, though it’s sometimes well-hidden.)
This puzzle is an example: 7 of the 18 clues (1, 8, 10, 14, and 16 Across and 1 and 5 Down) might not or definitely wouldn’t be seen in a major outlet puzzle – not because of failing a “breakfast test,” but because of quirkiness. I hope you like them!
Words: 28 (9×9)
Average Length: 5.07
I’d been saving 11A and 21A for a full-sized themed puzzle but couldn’t come up with other good themers, so here they are in a large mini or small midi, depending on your definitions.
Words: 23 (9×8)
Average Length: 4.87
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: this is by far the ugliest grid I’ve ever designed. Alas, after far too much time trying to fit what I wanted into a symmetrical, esthetically pleasing mini-midi grid, I gave up and settled for what you see.
Having said that, I hope you enjoy solving the clues, just like 9 Across and 3 Down. And if crime fiction is your thing, I can’t recommend Ian Rankin’s Rebus series highly enough. He just released the 25th book in the series, and they’re all terrific.
Words: 10 (5×5)
Average Length: 5.00
Way back in high school, I used to go bowling every weekend, reaching a greater level of success than in any other sport (it’s a low hurdle indeed). I had my share of 1 Acrosses, but got pretty good at converting the smaller ones. Difficulty-wise, I’d put today’s puzzle in the category of knocking down the 10-pin for a spare: quite doable but not a slam dunk, to mix sporting metaphors. (Dunking a bowling ball is not recommended.)
Here’s a different kind of mini for you. I think it should play on the easy side.
As sometimes happens, the Daily Crossword Links email missed the puzzle I posted Sunday (Themeless 87). Here’s a link to that puzzle if you’d like to solve it (and I sure hope you will!).
Jeff's Puzzles