CROSSWORDS: Clue/Puzzle Order

Summary | Quotes | References

Summary

• There's no "correct" sequence to read clues and solve a puzzle.
• It's ok to skip ahead or alternate direction, and make multiple passes.
• Fill 'easy' ("gimme") and FITB (Fill In The ___) answers first or if you get stuck.
• After filling in a word, focus on a subarea;
  use existing letters in crossing words -- switch between Across and Down.
• You might have to undo/erase an answer that fits but doesn't work.
• In a themed puzzle, if you figure out a long answer -- and the overall theme
  -- maybe look next at other long entries.
• In more difficult puzzles, sometimes the answer itself may be entered in a different direction,
  e.g., backwards, upwards, taking a bend, or skipping black squares;
  examples: e.g., NYT Thu, 1/21/2021; Universal, Sun, 1/13/2019: puz, sol pdf

Quotes

• “When, where and why did ‘Horizontal’ and ‘Vertical’ give way to ‘Across’ and ‘Down’?
  Interestingly, Margaret Farrar, who edited the New York Times crossword from 1942 to 1968,
  was also an editor or co-editor of Simon & Schuster puzzle books from its first publication
  of one in 1924 until her death in 1984. So, when she started as the very first editor
  for the New York Times Crossword in 1942, it seems she made the decision to use
  “Across” and “Down” instead of what she had used as an editor at Simon & Schuster.
  
  As for why, I cannot say. I imagine, though, that as crossword puzzles became more popular,
  it made sense to have a common lexicon that was used across outlets."
  ~Christina Iverson, NYT Easy Mode newsletter; NYT; 12/8/2023
• "If you do not change direction,... you may end up where you are heading." ~Lao Tzu
• "If you don't know where you are going,... you might wind up someplace else."
  (also: "When you reach a fork in the road, take it") ~Yogi Berra
• I asked a friend if crossword compilers made up words...
  He said "no, just down and across words""
• I'm doing a crossword, and I'm stuck on seven down.
  It's seven letters long and the clue is "Lemonade drink, not Sprite"...
  Oh no wait sorry that's not seven down, that's Seven Up.
• "Are you aware that the standard crossword format presents difficulties for lefties?...
  Lefties have to keep lifting their hand off the page to reveal the clues
  whereas righties can always view all of the clues at one time." (comment to Will Shortz)
• "Grab the low-hanging fruit first... That's what we call 'gimmes'.
  Go fill in your 'gimmes' because there's nothing like writing in the grid
  to really increase your confidence. And if your confidence increases,
  your abilities sometimes increase along with it." ~Deb Amlen
• "Koko B. Ware is a crossword wrestler:... he enters the ring vertically,
  and leaves horizontally." ~Jerry Lawler
• "You have brains in your head...
  You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
  You're on your own, and you know what you know.
  And you are the guy who'll decide where to go." ~Dr. Seuss
• "Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?...
  The Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to
  Alice: I don't much care where.
  The Cat: Then it doesn't much matter which way you go.
  Alice: ...so long as I get somewhere.
  The Cat: Oh, you're sure to do that, if only you walk long enough."
  ~Lewis Carroll

References

• about.com: 1. FITB; 4. Guess!; 5. Don't Jump To Conclusions
• HSW 3: Start with What You Know Right Away; HSW 1: Work in Clusters of Columns
• HSW 9: Avoid Intersecting Unfamiliar Entries; Wonder 4. Erase Your Answers
• Newsday Crossword Solving Hints