So you think you might want to try your hand at doing crossword puzzles? Seem overwhelming? I have been doing crossword puzzles for many years now. Here’s my handy dandy guide to doing crossword puzzles.
- Start on Monday. Many crossword puzzle providers start easy on Monday and then work up in difficulty as the week goes on. I usually can do the NY Times Monday puzzle in about 5 minutes. The Saturday puzzle usually takes me 30 minutes or longer. Sunday puzzles generally take me around 45 minutes or so.
- Use a pencil with an eraser if you use the printed puzzles. Don’t be afraid to enter a clue. Try it and see if it agrees with the corresponding across or down clues.
- If you like to solve online, use the program “AcrossLite”. It’s available for Windows and Mac. There are also several apps for smart phones and tablets. I use an app from Standalone Software on my iPad.
- Daily puzzles are (in the U.S.) a 15×15 grid. Sunday puzzles are a 21×21 grid. The grid is (almost always) symmetrical along the SW to NE axis.
- Puzzles with a large amounts of open space are always harder.
- Here is a link to some good tips on crossword clues.
Finally, here are a few articles or books on word puzzles worth looking at:
- Article about Will Shortz (NY Times puzzle editor)
- Book by Eugene Maleska called “Pleasure in Words” [no longer in print] You’ll either have to buy used or go to the public library. Maleska is the former NY Times puzzle editor.
calherewecome 