Constructing Crosswords: Approach

Constructing Crosswords: Approach

Focus | Grid Size & Format | Constructors? |
Rules, Conventions | Apps, Dictionaries, Tools | References

xwFocus

  • My introductory CROSSWORDS and YOU course focused on solving crosswords,
    via lecture and group practice; it also highlighted history, showed where to find puzzles,
    and briefly & broadly covered authoring (constructing).
  • This course focuses on constructing crosswords
    -- appreciating nuances of themes, grids, fill and clues may help you become a better solver.
    Wanting to construct your own puzzles is not a pre-requisite.
  • What other differences in coverage or approach?
American grid
American-style grid by Michael J.
via Wikimedia Commons
Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Grid Size & Format

  • There many possible word puzzle sizes, layouts, languages:
    CROSSWORDS and YOU: Terminology & Types.
  • The focus in this course: American, themed daily crosswords, e.g., NYT Mon-Thu.
  • American newspaper-style, fully-crossed*, symmetric grids [on right]:
    e.g., New York Times (NYT) Los Angeles Times (LAT),
    Universal (Mail Tribune), Wall Street Journal (WSJ), etc.
    -- not vocabulary-style, free-form, criss-cross word puzzles [top right],
    or British-style cryptics [below right];
    *aka 'fully-checked': each answer square has both an Across and Down clue, i.e., no 1-letter words (usually)
  • minithemed: e.g., NYT:Mon-Thu, Sun
    -- not NYT:Fri-Sat (themeless; hardest! What Makes a Good Themeless Puzzle?)
  • 15 x 15 size: e.g., NYT:Mon-Sat -- not NYT:mini 5 x 5 [on right] or NYT:Sun 21 x 21
  • British grid
    British-style grid by MeekMark,
    public domain
    via Wikimedia Commons

    Note: NYT Sun 21 x 21 ranks in difficulty like ~Wed/Thu NYT
    -- though solving takes longer (~2x more squares: 441 vs. 225);
    constructing larger grids is more challenging: more theme entries, even higher quality fill & clues, etc.

  • "A 78-word 15x15 typically has an average word length of ~4.8-5.0 letters?
    A 72-word 15x15 themeless is probably around 5.5-5.6 letters
    and a 140-word 21x21 themed is often like 5.3" ~Evan Birnholz on Crosscord(Discord)

Who Can Be A Constructor?

  • In the past, typically old white guys. ;-)
  • Now (increasingly), anyone with great ideas, new perspective -- and the right skills/tools.
  • Will Shortz: "In the 90s, my sense is that the average age of constructors
    [who submitted puzzles] was in the early 50s. Now it’s in the mid-30s."
  • What's come of this trend is a positive feedback loop of young constructors
    attracting young solvers who in turn become young constructors.
  • The catalysts for this are many: the ease of access to puzzles online;
  • software that makes puzzle construction more fun and less daunting;
  • an increase in social networking and collaboration among both setters
    and solvers (as on XWordInfo.com and Cruciverb.com);
  • Deb Amlen’s Wordplay column, whose goal is to "help those intimidated
    by the NYT crossword get over their fear of the puzzle."
  • even the rise of diverse, indie crossword communities all over the country
    focused on those historically underrepresented in puzzledom
    -- the LGBTQ+ community, female constructors, and people of color.
  • source: Smithsonian: How Crosswords Came of Age in the 2010s
  • "Of the 28 puzzles I’ve had published in The New York Times, 21 of them have been collaborations.
    I've shared a Times byline with 15 different constructors. While I do enjoy working on puzzles on my own,
    there's something special about the collaborative process. It makes the puzzle more memorable,
    and it inspires me to put out my best work. While I might end up setting aside a puzzle
    I’m working on alone, a collaborator keeps me motivated to take a puzzle across the finish line.

    Each person I’ve worked with has taught me something new, whether they are more or less experienced than I am.
    In my first collaboration with Matthew, which was published in the Crosswords Club, Matthew showed me how to make a
    shared Google spreadsheet for writing clues in a more collaborative way. I’ve used this format for every puzzle since!

    Collaborators have made me question the vocabulary I use in a grid, or what is considered too 'crosswordy.'
    They've made me more comfortable with ripping up an entire grid and writing multiple clues to choose from
    for a single entry. Two heads are better than one when it comes to coming up with funny theme entries.
    If you're interested in crossword construction, I’d highly recommend teaming up with someone
    more experienced than yourself; you will definitely learn something — and they probably will, too."
    ~Christina Iverson, Easy Mode newsletter, 4/26/2024

Rules / Conventions

Apps / Dictionaries / Tools

cch berry
from: aframegames.com

References

Constructing Crosswords: Free-Form

Constructing Crosswords: Free-Form

A Digression | Tools | Example

crosspasswordA Digression

  • Free-form --aka vocabulary or criss-cross -- word puzzles are an easy way to get started.
  • Compared to creating a symmetric, newspaper-style crossword, the free-form process is much simpler:
  • Theme: just a list of words; no need for consistency, cleverness or matching lengths
  • Grid: words laid out automatically; symmetry, size and unchecked squares are not an issue.
  • Fill: no extraneous words needed -- only your list is included.
  • Clues: the same process, but you can make clues personalized.
  • Publish: usually for self, family or friends rather than formal publication.

xwTools

  • Some apps can create free-form puzzles -- see Authoring: Applications
  • e.g., Crossword Compiler app example [image: right]
  • You can disable 'normal' rules in some apps, e.g.,
    Crossfire: Grid > Preserve symmetry, Grid > Report Unchecked Squares
  • Many browser-based sites, often education-oriented, are free or low cost.
  • General process/features:
  • Adjust options for size, background; add a title and author.
  • Enter a list of words and clues into a form or import a text file -- answer|clue delimiter may vary
  • Automatically generate a skeleton-like arrangement of your words.
  • webReview, revise word list and/or settings
  • Export resulting free-form puzzle and solution as .pdf, .jpg, .png.
  • Optional: copy/rearrange/reformat grid, clues and/or solution in a document editor; add pictures.
  • Print / publish!
  • 3 free sites:
  • 1. simplest: Discovery Education: PuzzleMaker paste from edited demo.txt
  • 2. format options: Crossword Publisher [image: right]; no import
  • 3. more options: Armored Penguin [image ('Crosspassword'): top right; example below]
  • For other free-form puzzle sites to explore: Authoring: Web

ap OLLIExample: Armored Penguin

  • Add a Title, Author; many options: square size; bkgd: gray; min groups: 1; 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, appearance, etc.?
  • Printable PDF (example .pdf; image: right), Answer Key, Online, etc.

Constructing Crosswords: Process

Constructing Crosswords: Process

Overview | 0. Prepare | 1. Theme |
2. Grid | 3. Fill | 4. Clues | 5. Publish

constr. zone
construction zone by granth
license: CC BY-SA 2.0 from openverse.org

Overview of Process

process0. Prepare

  • Choose: audience? puzzle type? grid size? difficulty?
  • Gather apps, tools, dictionaries, understand general rules
  • Review Crossword Publication Specs comprehensive table from Matthew Stock
    e.g., NYT; LAT, Universal, WSJ, et al.;
  • Cruciverb: specs, comparison (older)
  • Choose a target publication -- or follow common guidelines, and decide later.
  • house constr.
    Construction works at a prefabricated house
    by H. Raab (User:Vesta); 2 May 2006;
    Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
    from commons.wikimedia.org

    Some publishers may request an initial theme proposal rather than a complete crossword,
    -- and reply with their (dis)interest more quickly before you expend construction effort.

  • New publishers may seek crosswords, sometimes announced on Cruciverb.com, e.g.,
    "This announcement is to help Matthew Dube at Merriam-Webster. He wrote me that M-W and Britannica are
    planning a new six-day-a-week online crossword series, consisting of five 15x15 dailies and one 21x21 Sunday.
    They're looking for two or three regular contributors.

    The focus of the puzzle will be interesting English vocabulary. And since the puzzle will have an international audience,
    it shouldn't have a lot of names -- especially ones that aren't internationally known.

    The pay, I'm told, will be modest, but in keeping with a number of other markets. If you're potentially interested
    in an ongoing gig like this, please send your name and list of credits, along with any comments, to Matt..."
    ~Will Shortz; 12/4/2020; [on constructor email list: cruciverb-l@mail.cruciverb.com]
  • Allow enough time, e.g.,
  • "How long a puzzle takes to create depends on a lot of things —...
  • Matt Gaffney describes a complete themed puzzle constructed in less than 6 hours! 9/10/2014
  • The Super Mega (50 x 50) puzzle, the largest one Jeff Chen has constructed, was weeks of effort.
    'It nearly killed me,' he said, laughing
    Meet Jeff Chen, the Seattle man who’s published more than 125 crosswords in The New York Times; ST; 1/6/2022
  • So, How Long Does It Take to Make a Crossword Puzzle Anyway? DB; 2/22/2021
  • "Generating the theme is always the hardest part of this job...
  • "How long does it take to build one crossword puzzle?
    The short answer is, it really depends on the puzzle and the constructor.

    The first step of constructing a themed puzzle is to come up with the theme
    and a workable theme set, which is a set of longer entries that all have
    something in common. For many constructors, this is what takes the longest.
    While a theme can fall together quickly, I’ve spent weeks and sometimes over
    a year trying to come up with the perfect theme set. I often start thinking
    about a puzzle because of a single pun, and then I search for similar examples.

    Because theme entries in crossword puzzles must be symmetrical in the grid,
    constructors can't just think of a few theme entries and call it a day.
    We have to create partner entries of matching lengths -- and then make sure
    those entries have letters that fit in a 15x15 grid (or 21x21 for a Sunday puzzle).

    After the theme set, it’s on to the grid. While modern crossword software
    can generate a filled grid in seconds, it takes time to create a one that
    feels human. Many constructors enjoy tinkering with the words and trying
    to craft the best possible 'fill,; otherwise known as the words or phrases
    that fill a crossword. Some people spend weeks playing with a grid,
    while others spend just a few hours. The same is true with writing clues;
    one constructor might power through every clue in one sitting, while another
    might spend weeks writing one clue at a time, when inspiration strikes.

    The whole process might take eight hours or eight years; we recently accepted
    a puzzle from someone who said he has been revising it since 2015!"
    ~Christina Iverson, Easy Mode newsletter; 12/29/2023
  • How to Make a Crossword Puzzle, Part 5: The Crossword Editors's Job; Resources:
    word lists, software, online resources; NYT; 8/17/2018
  • Crossword Constructor Resource Guide
    Construction Software; Online Dictionaries;
    Word Lists; Places to Meet Other Constructors;
    Publications With Open Submission Guidelines;
    Other Useful Tools and Websites; Crossword Blogs and Columns;
    Inspiration; Puzzle Tournaments; NYT; 11/8/2021
  • Crossword Constructor's Handbook (Berry) Chapter 6: Odds and Ends: Useful Resources
  • The Art of Crossword Construction (Johnston): Resources for Making Puzzles
  • Amuse Labs: Resources
  • Constructing Crosswords: Tools

xwd constr1. Theme

2. Grid

3. Fill

4. Clues

steve NYT5. Publish

Constructing Crosswords: Tools

Constructing Crosswords: Tools

Applications | Web-based | Dictionaries (Cruciverb, XWordInfo, ...) |
Clue Databases (cluer) | Formats (intro) | References

cf
from: beekeeperlabs.com (CrossFire)

Applications

  • These are full apps, installed on a Mac, Windows or Linux computer.
  • CrossFire; Mac, Win, Lnx; $50 (one-time), free trial w/ limited functionality;
    Steve uses currently [2018-];
    Reference Docs; FAQ; Walkthrough [on right]
  • Crossword Compiler: Win; $49-$169 or subscription; updates extra;
    Steve used previously on Mac, but complex/pricey setup required virtual machine,
    e.g., UTM*, VirtualBox, Parallels, and possibly a Windows license
    (*re-evaluating use with UTM w/ Windows ARM on a Mac M-series processor);
    CrossOver Windows emulator, although simpler, produced runtime errors (last checked: 3/2024)
  • Ingrid; Mac, Win, Lnx; free beta version avail
  • For other apps: Authoring: Apps: 'apps'

Web-based Apps

  • These apps run in most web browsers -- even on some mobile devices.
  • Since many of these sites are free, they're a good way to get started.
  • Some sites provide publishing/distribution capability so that others can solve your puzzles,
    and perhaps a social media feature for commenting on and discussing puzzles.
  • Examples: Crosserville, Crosshare, PuzzleMe
  • For more: Authoring: Apps: 'web'
  • Free-form puzzle sites, e.g., Armored Penguin -- covered earlier

ex crucAdd-on Dictionaries

  • Some constructors create & maintain their own lists
    of entries (words and phrases).
  • Dictionaries overlap and vary widely in comprehensiveness and number of entries.
    Some add phrases; some omit obscure or offensive words, one-off theme entries.
  • Entry scores suggest which entries to prioritize/prefer during fill,
    e.g., lively/interesting (50-60), obscure/crosswordese (5-25).
  • These scores are subjective (with different scales), often customizable;
    e.g., scoring guides: XWordInfo; spread the word(list); Bosivert: Collaborative Word List Project; Jones; Broda
  • A built-in dictionary can provide some default entries,
    e.g., CrossFire's default.dict: ~183K entries, scored: 5-50
  • Some constructors subscribe ($) to frequently updated, scored dictionaries/word lists,
    possibly for different languages, e.g., Crossword Compiler: WordWeb Pro, add-on lists;
    or entries from past/current crosswords -- next subsections: Cruciverb, XWord Info;
    other word lists below are free unless otherwise noted

Cruciverb | Xword Info | spread the word(list) | Collaborative | Misc.

merge dictCruciverb

  • Cruciverb Word Lists; all.txt, nyt.txt; unscored; $39/year ('Gold');
    entries: all: ~166K {1/2023}, NYT-only: ~106K; [img above]
    to eliminate unusable or less-than-ideal entries that have occurred only 1-2 times,
    several subsets are available: all3, nyt3 (≥ 3 times), all5, nyt5 (≥ 5 times)
  • CrossFire: create a .dict file (with default scores); [img right]
    Dictionary > Merge Dictionaries, e.g., all.txt
    -- add own word scores or use CrossFire's db?

xwiXWord Info

spread the word(list)

  • spread the word(list): .dict, .txt; scored [0-60]; entries: ~300K {4/2024}
    Brooke Husic and Enrique Henestroza Anguiano; updated quarterly

Collaborative Word List Project

Misc.

cluerAdd-on clue database

  • Find a clue quickly for a entry, esp. in a puzzle you won't be publishing,
    or avoid overly used published clues and craft new ones.
  • Find out if some of your theme entries already exist in other puzzles --
    entries with same date and publication?
  • Alternatively, manually lookup entries/clues on web sites, e.g., CrosswordTracker.com
  • For offline use: Matt Ginsberg's Cluer Database App: {v3.1.5; 5/9/2023*}
    Mac, Win, Lnx; free [above right]; *no longer updated; see xd.saul.pw?
  • Mac: ctrl-click app to Open
    since it's a 3rd party app, not downloaded from App Store
  • cluercluer can also be integrated with/accessed from a construction app, e.g.,
  • CrossFire (FAQ): Clue database file: /Applications/cluer.app/Contents/Resources/cluedata [right];
    Mac: CrossFire > Preferences > General
    Win, Lnx: Edit > Configuration > General
  • Saul Pwanson’s database:
    xd.saul.pw updated regularly vs. cluer (8/2021); xd-clues.zip

fiendcvPuzzle Formats

  • for print: .pdf; other options: .jpg, .png, .gif, ...
    [on right: Cruciverb, Crossword Fiend: .pdf, .puz, web]
  • for solving and constructing apps:
    most common: .puz (Across Lite);
    other options: .txt (AL), .jpz, .ipuz
  • for web (browser-based solver applets): .js (JavaScript);
    other options: .puz, .jpz -- or proprietary
  • next section: Formats

References

Constructing Crosswords: Formats

Constructing Crosswords: Formats

Introduction |
.txt | .puz | .jpz | .js | .ipuz | .cfp | .pdf | NYT | web, CS | other |
References

Introduction

  • "Today I learned that 'Across Lite' is actually...
  • Different crossword file formats serve different purposes:
  • formatted for printing, e.g., .pdf and image files
  • structured data for construction apps, solving apps & applets, e.g., .puz, .jpz;
    optional: formatting
  • sending puzzles to publishers -- check specifications for accepted formats
  • A crossword data file contains
  • grid dimensions; grid layout: locations of black squares (blocks) and solution entries;
  • clues (Across and Down) -- numbering explicit, or implicit (computed from grid layout);
  • usually: the solution, title, author, copyright, note to solver
  • sometimes: rebus entries, squares with circles, formatting directives (square size, colors, etc.)
  • Since 1996, .puz has been a standard crossword file format
    from Literate Software (aka "Litsoft") for AcrossLite (AL)
    -- and for many other solving applets/apps and construction apps.
  • Other file formats have been developed (e.g., .jpz, .ipuz) which would
  • 1) be open standards (esp. when it appeared that Litsoft would require paid licensing)
  • 2) support more flexible numbering, layout, formatting;
  • -- these other formats are available, but not widespread,
    perhaps since Litsoft later (v2) added .puz support for circles, rebuses,
    though other features, e.g., gray squares, still unsupported: NYT occasionally recommends .pdf
  • 8/2021: NYT dropped support for .puz
  • A few web standards & acronyms that will be referenced (Wikipedia):
  • Extensible Markup Language (XML)
  • JavaScript (JS)
  • JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)
  • Markdown
  • Portable Document Format (PDF)
  • A few apps do not import these public puzzle formats
    -- and instead use their own proprietary file formats (which won't be covered here).
  • Each format below indicates possible constructing and solving apps that can open/save each format.
  • Some browser applets are included also; lists and details may be incomplete/incorrect.

txt.txt (Across Lite: text)

  • .txt: version: 1&2; Litsoft; [above: .txt excerpt]; schoOLLIfe: olli-ex.txt
  • most apps use the binary .puz format (next)
  • Across Lite v2.5 app mentions an undocumented "v3 file format"
    with support for new grid & text formatting:
  • Wrapping multi-line clues in clue lists that can be styled by publishers (bold, italic, underline,
    forced line breaks, etc). Color emoji and expanded Unicode support.
  • Improved support for high-resolution monitors with high-resolution icons and
    resolution-aware drawing and scaling for sharp lines and smooth text.
  • For printing, the grid can now be placed in any quadrant of the paper and the clues
    will flow around it (previously available on Windows version only). Pick for your solving style or which hand you use.
  • A new custom option to include the solution grid as a separate page along
    with the solving layout. This allows both solve page(s) and solution grid to be printed with a single print action.
    With duplex printing, solution grid can be at the back of a single sheet to save paper.
  • Fonts have been updated for printing and display for newer versions of MacOS
    -- to enable styled text, for better clarity in printed sheet. Spacing between clues in the print layout has been
    increased and columns wider when possible to reduce number of lines for longer clues.
  • Dark mode can now be always enabled or never enabled or set to follow
    the desktop setting in the Preferences for Layout.
  • Publishers can shade grid with full 24-bit color including transparency.
    Emojis can be placed on grid. The shading and emojis will adjust to ensure solution entry is never obscured.
    Printing preferences can disable grid marks and print shading in an unobtrusive light color/gray.
  • import: AL, CC, CrossFire, XWord; applet: Drupal
  • export: CrossFire, Crosserville

puz.puz (Across Lite: binary)

jpz.jpz (XML)

.js (JavaScript: XML embedded )

.ipuz (JSON)

.cfp (CrossFire)

.pdf (Portable Document Format)

  • export .pdf for puzzle & solution from most solving & construction apps
    -- by generating directly from app, or by printing from app (w/ OS or 3rd party support)
  • schoOLLIfe: olli-ex-puz.pdf (puzzle) empty grid & clues;
    olli-ex-sol.pdf (solution) numbered grid with solution
  • print the .pdf to solve on paper
  • annotate in a PDF application, e.g., group solving over Zoom
  • submit to a publisher, e.g., NYT (next)
  • Crossword Nexus: PUZ to PDF Converter
  • Crossword PDF Editor .puz to .pdf;
    version of Crossword Nexus's Converter with some additional editing options; see also NYT Submission Editor
  • It's not common (or easy) to import from a .pdf into a solving app;
    .pdf defines only the superficial appearance;
    structured data (like .puz), i.e., grid layout, list of answers and clues, would have to be inferred.
  • Litzing Methods Using OCR 9/21/2012
  • ‎Crossword Scanner iOS; scan crossword puzzles from paper or screenshots into an interactive format

NYT (New York Times)

scraperWeb

  • Crossword applets might use other formats besides .puz or .js
  • It's possible to convert browser crossword applets [PuzzleMe, Crossword Compiler] on some sites to
    .puz, .jpz, .ipuz or .pdf by using Crossword Scraper: free browser extension Firefox, Chrome) [image: right];
    e.g., NYT, New Yorker, The Week; other puzzle sites tagged with "CS" (Crossword Scraper) compatible;
    source code available
  • PuzzleMe to .puz & .jpz: converter bookmarklets more limited than Crossword Scraper?
stds
How Standards Proliferate by XKCD is licensed via
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5

Other Formats

References