CROSSWORDS: Authoring

CROSSWORDS: Authoring

Quotes | Summary | Paper | Web | Apps | Which to Use | Examples

Quotes

xwSummary

  • Crossword constructors create puzzles for many of the same reasons discussed for solvers.
  • 'constructors' may be referred to as cruciverbalists, though this often refers to solvers also
  • -- or as 'composers', 'setters' or 'compilers' for cryptics in UK / British Commonwealth countries
  • This course section introduces construction, broadly and briefly:
  • tools: using paper, web sites and apps
  • types:
  • 1) free-form -- sometimes called 'vocabulary' or 'criss-cross' [above right]
  • American grid
    American-style grid by Michael J.
    via Wikimedia Commons
    Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

    2) symmetric, fully-crossed, newspaper-style -- 'standard' [on right]

  • size: 5 x 5, 15 x 15, 21 x 21, etc.; other shapes
  • style: themed or themeless
  • A longer course -- Constructing Crosswords -- dives deeper,
    with a more focused Approach:
  • tools: using an app -- not paper or web-based tools
  • type, size, style: only 'standard' 15 x 15 themed puzzles
  • flowchartThe overall Process is fundamentally the same for any crossword:
  • Prepare: understand audience; know basic rules;
    check publisher guidelines (if submitting);
    identify/install tools; dictionaries
  • Theme: develop and place long theme entries
  • Themeless and mini puzzles: seed with several interesting entries.
  • Grid: create arrangement of blocks (black squares),
    constrained by symmetry, number of blocks and word length;
    for free-form, auto-generate grid from word list
  • Fill: add other 'lively', clueable entries
  • Clues: create imaginative/challenging clues while following conventions
  • Publish or distribute
  • video: How a Crossword Puzzle Gets Made 3:32; Mike Vuolo; Slate; 11/12/2014
  • video: How to construct a crossword 2:25; The Passionate Eye: Across and Down; 10/2022
  • subsections: References | Examples | Paper | Web Sites | Applications | Which to Use?

References

Examples

Paper / Manual

  • graph paper & pencil, or spreadsheet; dictionary & thesaurus
  • general purpose app, e.g., text editor or spreadsheet to layout, save and print a puzzle.
  • exceloptional: enter puzzle into tagged text file;
    import into Across Lite;
    export as .puz and nicely formatted .pdf
  • + ultimate flexibility
  • - time consuming to create
  • (not recommended)
  • Refs: Authoring: MS Office: Word, Excel; Google Docs, Sheets

reagleExample: "WORD PLAY" by Merl Reagle

webWeb Sites

ap OLLIExample: ArmoredPenguin

  • Add a Title, Author; many options: square size & shading, etc.
  • Enter answers and clues manually?
  • Or, edit/save a local text file; each line contains answer:clue
    Text file name: Choose File (download demo file); Load Puzzle
  • Make Puzzle
  • Revise words, clues, layout, etc.? Bkgd: gray; min groups: 1 [image: right]
  • Printable PDF (example .pdf), Answer Key, Online, etc.

Applications

  • stand-alone apps to construct puzzles, e.g., Crossword Compiler, CrossFire
  • see Authoring: Applications section: selected desktop authoring applications & web sites
  • + clue numbering; grid generation?
  • + dictionary for reference or auto-fill-in
  • + create other types of crosswords and puzzles?
  • + output in variety of formats: interactive / static web page, .puz, .pdf, .jpg, NYT submission; Word
  • + various platforms, i.e., Windows (Win*); Macintosh (Mac); Linux (Lnx); web (e.g., Crosserville, Crosshare)
    *if desired app is not 'cross-platform' it may be possible to run it in a VM (virtual machine) on your OS,
    e.g., Crossword Compiler (Windows app) via Parallels (VM) on macOS
  • - learning curve
  • - cost for professional features, additional dictionaries and/or software upgrades

Which to Use?

  • Some considerations
  • style: free-form and/or standard crossword
  • purpose: fun, publication, ...
  • app & tool platform: Mac, Win, Linux -- or web browser?
  • cost
  • support
  • dictionaries, databases for filling
  • output formats: print-only, .puz, web, etc.
  • other features?

xwdWhat Steve had used until 2018

  • Constructing (standard, free-form) Crossword Compiler; Authoring: Apps: CC
    -- on Mac running Windows via VM: [originally] CrossOver; [later] Parallels
  • drawbacks: CrossOver incompatibility; system complexity/size;
    upgrade costs for Parallels, Windows -- and Crossword Compiler
  • Interactive web solving: Crossword Compiler applet (JS); other options
crossfire
from: beekeeperlabs.com

What Steve is using now

freeform olliExample: Crossword Compiler (CC): Free-form grid

  • Theme words: same demo words as above, w/o clues
  • New: Free-form/vocabulary: 15 x 15
  • If not enough words fitting, Size: Two squares larger (increase as necessary),
    or prune word list (and start over)
  • If several grids generated, flip through layouts to pick your favorite. Accept
  • CC > Clue > Review/edit clues
  • CC > File > Information: add title, author, etc.
  • CC > File > Export: (many formats, options), e.g., .pdf, .jpg, .puz
  • optional: import .puz into Across Lite to generate print versions of puzzle & solution (my preference)
  • CC > File > Web export > Export to Files -- interactive version for a web site

miniExample: CrossFire: 5 x 5 (mini)

  • Besides CrossFire, you could create same puzzle with free web sites: Crosserville, Crosshare
  • Create new grid; horizontal: 5, vertical: 5
  • Add 2 grid squares for a variety of length words: 3, 4, 5
  • Place 'seed' (ala theme) words: 1A: "OLLI" (top row); 1D: "OSHER"; 3D: "LEARN" (2nd 'L' column)
  • Let's add: "Q" (below 'I'). IQS would be nice but red square warns no letter fits. Unfillable based on current dictionaries!
  • Replace with: "Z" -- one letter is only option in 2 squares, i.e., IZE, SUEZ
  • Grid > Quick Fill -- successful, though with some obscure entries; Undo
  • Recognize patterns and add words ourselves, or lookup word patterns separately,
    e.g., crosswordtracker.com Answer: ?H?AE
  • I've added some dictionaries to CrossFire:XWordInfo word list and cluer database
  • Iterate through Fill: Best Location to find better entries.
  • If unfillable or uninteresting fill, identify problem area.
  • For more possibilities, change and/or move seed words to different locations, and/or change grid,
    e.g., remove "Z", shift "LEARN", and/or add "SOU" in first column.
  • Grid > Quick Fill?
  • Fill incrementally, i.e., Fill: Best Location
  • Select recommended (higher score) entry or add your own.
  • Next entry -- repeat.
  • Write clues
  • Review. Publish?
  • Other 5 x 5 examples: "Crucigramitas"

Video: How a Crossword Puzzle Gets Made (Vuolo)

How a Crossword Puzzle Gets Made 3:32; Mike Vuolo; Slate; 11/12/2014

Example: CrossFire: (NYT) How to Make a Crossword Puzzle

  • featured in: Wordplay 5-part series 4/2018-9/2018
  • Part 1: theme two NYT constructors, Ben Tausig and Finn Vigeland,
    demystify the process of developing a theme set
  • Part 2: grid puzzle makers David Steinberg and Natan Last design
    a crossword grid around our theme set
  • Part 3: fill Kevin Der and Paolo Pasco pull back the curtain on the work
    that goes into filling a crossword with fun and interesting entries
  • Part 4: clues Robyn Weintraub and Brad Wilber clue us in;
    the submitted puzzle (before editing): web, .pdf, .puz
  • Part 5: publishing In the final part of this series, the New York Times crossword editors
    reveal their process for evaluating and editing a puzzle submission;
    resources that were mentioned in this series -- word lists, software, online resources, places to go for questions
    -- are included in a single list at the end to assist aspiring constructors

puzExample: CrossFire: American 15 x 15; theme: "OLLI"

single hillExample: Crossword Compiler: American 17 x 17

  • Theme: Single Hill Brewing Co. in Yakima, WA
  • Theme answers (=7) (after some experimentation):
    1@17, 2@15, 2@13, 2@11 letters
  • Ambitious -- 15 x 15 with 3-4 long theme answers
    is more typical, and easier to construct
  • New: American 17 x 17 grid; Fit Theme Words;
    if not all fit, revise list or grid size
  • Choose most 'open' grid layout (with fewest bottlenecks)
  • If Fill options too limited, use additional word lists,
    move equal size theme answers to other rows or columns
    -- or, revise theme words and repeat
  • Look for opportunities to add other theme-related words?
  • Divide&conquer: identify, close/isolate,
    (auto)fill 'hardest/tightest' areas first; write clues; review; ...
  • Finished puzzle

CROSSWORDS: Authoring: Applications

CROSSWORDS: Authoring: Applications

Summary | Selected Apps | Other Software/Lists

crossword compilerSummary

  • Many crossword construction applications / sites are available;
    Solving Apps discussed earlier
  • Apps vary by platform: Mac, Win, Lnx (Linux), browser ("web");
    web apps run in most major, modern browsers,
    e.g., Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Edge;
    mobile-friendly web apps ("webM") run in phone & tablet browsers
  • Apps vary by features, puzzle sizes/types, puzzle formats, support, cost
    -- some apps free, some offer demo versions / trial periods
  • Some web sites provide publishing/distribution capability so that others can solve your puzzles,
    and perhaps a social media feature for commenting and discussing puzzles.
  • Besides images below, Constructing Crosswords: Gallery: Constructing Apps features OLLI example for
    apps: CrossFire, Crossword Compiler, Crossword Maker for Cruciverbalists, Ingrid;
    browser: Crosserville, Crosshare, CrossHatch, Crossword Composer, Exet, Phil, PuzzleMe, SparklingFill;
    manual: Across Lite
  • Disclaimer: list below is incomplete, out-of-date; see also: Other Software/Older Lists
  • To avoid malware, install software only from your device's App Store or developer's official site.

app: Crossdown | CrossFire | Crossword Compiler | Crossword Construction Kit |
Crossword Weaver | Crossword Wizard Creator | Eclipse | Ingrid | Qxw

browser: Crosserville | Crosshare | CrossHatch | Crossword Composer |
Crossworthy | Exet | Phil | PuzzleMe | SparklingFill

manual: Across Lite | 'Office';
other: misc. software/lists

ALAcross Lite (AL)

down
from: crossdown.com

Crossdown

  • platforms/cost: Win: $60
  • formats: .pdf, web
  • last updated 2016?

Crosserville

crossfire
from: beekeeperlabs.com

CrossFire

  • platforms/cost: Win,Mac,Lnx: $50; Java included
  • formats: .puz, .jpz*, .pdf, NYT; *limited import, no export
  • FAQ; Docs; Walkthrough;
    (Steve uses); no free-form generation;
    Crossfire Tutorial
    How to set up a wordlist/dictionary; How to link a clue database
    How to lay out a grid and fill it; How to use the lookup tab and edit a wordlist
    Comparison with Crossword Compiler; 50:09; 10/17/2021    ;
    schoOLLIfe example

chCrosshare

ch
from: github.com/ben4808/crosshatch

CrossHatch

crossword compilerCrossword Compiler

compCrossword Composer

  • platforms/cost: web, webM: free
  • formats: .puz, .xpf
  • 15 x 15, 21 x 21;
    schoOLLIfe example
cck
from: crosswordkit.com

Crossword Construction Kit

  • platforms/cost: Win: $30
  • formats: ?
  • free-form only
cw
from: crosswordweaver.com

Crossword Weaver

  • platforms/cost: Win: $40+; web: free
  • formats: .pdf, web
  • free-form and symmetric; last updated 2016?
cw
from: rushsoftware.com.au

Crossword Wizard Creator

  • platforms/cost: Win, Mac: $49-$159
  • formats: ?
  • free-form only?
eclipse
from: eclipsecrossword.com

Eclipse

  • platforms/cost: Win: free
  • formats: .doc, web
  • free-form only?
Crossworthy
Crossworthy site; from: PuzzleNation:
5 Questions for Crossword Constructing
Duo May Huang and Kevin Trickey! 3/11/2021

Crossworthy

exet
from: viresh-ratnakar.github.io/exet.html

Exet (exet.app)

ingrid
from: ingrid.cx

Ingrid

  • platforms/cost: Win, Mac, Lnx; open beta; free
  • formats: .puz, .jpz, .ipuz, .cfp
  • "Ingrid's mechanics feel somewhat familiar to users experienced with Crossfire,
    but is lighter, faster, and cleaner, and supports grid features such as diagonal
    symmetry and barred grids. Some of us on the DCL team have been using it
    for a while, and we cannot recommend it enough. Closed beta users share
    some of their favorite features: versioning functionality, the ability to reject
    words for specific slots in a grid, the sortable panel for reviewing all entries,
    the cluing progress meter, and the ability to work on multiple puzzles at a time."
  • source
excel
from: How to Make a Crossword in Excel Using Standard Functions

MS Office: Word, Excel; Google Docs, Sheets

phil
from: github.com/keiranking/Phil

Phil

puzzlemePuzzleMe (AmuseLabs)

qxw
from: quinapalus.com

Qxw

sparkling
from: sparklingfill.com

SparklingFill

Other Software / Older Lists

CROSSWORDS: Gallery. Crossword Compiler (on Mac)

CROSSWORDS: Gallery. Crossword Compiler (on Mac)

Intro

Screenshots

  1. Main: initial screen
    cc
  2. New: type of puzzle? choose Free-form/Vocabulary
    cc
  3. New: size? choose 17x17
    cc
  4. New: which initial words to include?
    cc
  5. New: some words to auto-fit
    cc
  6. New: generated (24 words in ~0:30). Accept
    cc
  7. Fill: add areas for more interest?
    cc
  8. Fill: words auto added from dictionary. Accept
    cc
  9. Clues: review and edit (none yet)
    cc
  10. Clues: typing in a few
    cc
  11. Clues: lookup 'terminology' in WordWeb dict.
    cc
  12. Clues: lookup 'OLLI'
    cc
  13. Save puzzle 'olli_course'
    cc
  14. Export. which formats?
    cc
  15. New. American 15x15 puzzle
    cc
  16. Fill. all words from dictionary
    cc

CROSSWORDS: Authoring: References

CROSSWORDS: Authoring: References

General | AI | Clues | Courses | Cryptics | Diversity, Inclusivity | Editors |
File Formats | Fill, Dict., Word Lists | Grids | Publishing |
Rules, Publishing Specs. | Themeless | Themes | Tools, Resources

General

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Clues

Courses

Cryptics

Diversity, Inclusivity

Will Shortz 2023
Will Shortz at the 2023
American Crossword Puzzle Tournament
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
International license from Wikimedia Commons

Editors

File Formats

Fill, Dict., Word Lists

Grids

Publishing

Rules, Publishing Specs.

Themeless

Themes

  • Constructing Analysis #1: Stuffed with Ambition! 10/13/2021
  • Why the LA Times Won't Accept Your Three-Entry Theme
    (and Why You Should Make the Puzzle Anyways)     8/11/2021
  • NYT Wordplay series: How to Make a Crossword Puzzle: Part 1
    two NYT constructors, Ben Tausig and Finn Vigeland, demystify the process of developing a theme set; 4/11/2018
  • It Themes Somehow Familiar
    how could two crossword constructors come up with puzzles that are almost exactly alike?
    BRAVE NEW WORLD, INTRAVENOUS DRIP, CONTRAVENE, COBRA VENOM; Slate/ 11/27/2009
  • Ten bullshit themes
    1. the stepquote; 2. Deletion themes that don't make new words;
    3. Anagrams of some other entry plus the word ANAGRAM;
    4. Randomly circled letters that spell out some kind of word;
    5. Random phrases plus entry that's clued {Word that can precede/follow the beginnings/ends of W-, X-, Y, and Z-Across};
    6. The same word used as the clue for all the theme entries but in different sense;
    equally offending is the one where the clues are gradual beheadings/curtailments/adding a letter;
    7. First-words-are-synonyms puzzles; any puzzle whose theme is colors, rhymes, rhymes involving colors,
    celebrity's first and last name whose last name is the first of another celebrity;
    8. Phrases that contain some repeated two- or three-letter element in the middle of them spanning a word break;
    9. The "curriculum vitae" with entry that is clued {Subject of the puzzle};
    10. The clue would be something like {Three dogs} and the answer would be a random list; BEQ; 5/6/2009
  • Cruciverb: Advice on Themes; Theme Entries;
    Quote Themes; Theme Types; Theme Advice for Novices

Tools, Resources

CROSSWORDS: Authoring: Refs: Constructors

CROSSWORDS: Authoring: Refs: Constructors

Constructors

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | V | W | Y | Z

CROSSWORDS: Authoring: Refs: Setters

CROSSWORDS: Authoring: Refs: Setters

Setters / Compilers

A | B | C | D | E | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
P | R | S | T | W | Y