Twists & Turns #12

Aries Twists & Turns #12 - Harder (PDF) | Standard (PDF) | Standard (JPZ) | Solution (PDF) 

Back with another Twists & Turns! As is usual, there are two difficulty levels offered in the PDF version; the digital version can only be offered in the Standard version. To solve digitally, first download the JPZ file above, then head over to Crossword Nexus and upload the JPZ file. Either way you solve, hope you enjoy!

Busy at work at the second Rows Garden Six Pack of the year - check back next month for its official release! Six Pack #1 was released in March to good solver response, so scoop that up if you haven't already. If you're itching for more Twists & Turns, be sure to pick up the Twists & Turns Puzzle Pack from a few years ago! 

Twists & Turns #11

Aries Twists & Turns #11 - Harder (PDF) | Standard (PDF) | Standard (JPZ) | Solution (PDF)

It's Thanksgiving, so that must mean it's time for another Twists & Turns puzzle! If you've never tried your hand at one of these challenging puzzles, I recommend giving the Standard version a shot. The Harder version lists the Twists clues alphabetically which does ramp up the challenge even more, so fair warning that you're in for a workout. The Standard version is also available in digital JPZ format - first download the JPZ link above, then head over to Crossword Nexus and open the file to solve in their smooth online interface. Either way you solve, hope you enjoy!

In case you missed it, I wrote an essay earlier this week announcing the discontinuation of Aries Rows Garden. Thanks to all subscribers who have commented or written emails expressing their support! It really means a lot. As I explained in the essay, these monthly variety puzzles will continue, so do keep coming back and solving.

The monthly bundles are updated to include the November 2024 bundle, so if you're not a subscriber or want a small taste of the puzzles offered with Aries Rows Garden, scoop up a bundle or two. All subscription puzzles dating back to 2014 are offered for sale in the Rows Garden Archive, so if you want a bigger taste of RGs, pick up some whole or half year bundles there.

Happy Thanksgiving, and happy solving!

-Andrew

Twists & Turns #10

Twists & Turns #10 - Standard (PDF) | Harder (PDF) | Standard (JPZ) | Solution (PDF)

Back with another Twists & Turns puzzle! If you've never tried your hand at one of these challenging puzzles, I recommend giving the Standard version a shot. The Harder version lists the Twists clues alphabetically which does ramp up the challenge even more, so fair warning that you're in for a workout. The Standard version is also available in digital JPZ format - first download the JPZ link above, then head over to Crossword Nexus and open the file to solve in their smooth online interface. Either way you solve, hope you enjoy!

If you're interested in more T&Ts, pick up the Twists & Turns puzzle pack from a few years ago - 50% off for a limited time! 

On the Rows Garden front, the May bundle has been posted. Subscriptions are always open for Aries Rows Garden - and if you've been on the fence about subscribing, check out the Summer Special for new subscribers: you'll get three *free* months of archived Rows Gardens if you purchase a 1-Year or 6-Month subscription! For more details and to subscribe, head over to the Subscriptions page.

Happy summer, and happy solving!

Twists & Turns #9

Twists & Turns #9 - Standard (PDF) | Harder (PDF) | Standard (JPZ) | Solution (PDF)

Happy Thanksgiving, and keeping with the tradition, here's the annual T-Day Twists & Turns puzzle! As usual, there's a Standard and Harder PDF versions as well as a JPZ file in Standard difficulty only for digital solving. To solve digitally, first download the above file and then head over to Crossword Nexus and upload the file. Hope you enjoy! If you're still hungry for more T&Ts, be sure to check out the T&T puzzle pack that was released last year. 

Check back next week for the November bundle of the Aries Rows Garden puzzles. [11/30/2023 UPDATE: The November bundle is now posted!] A friendly reminder that subscriptions are always open if you don't want to wait for the monthly bundles.

Happy solving!

-Andrew 

Twists & Turns #8

Twists & Turns #8 - Standard (PDF) | Harder (PDF) | Solution (PDF) | JPZ

Back this month with another Twists & Turns puzzle! As is usual there are PDFs offered in both Standard and Harder difficulty levels. The JPZ is only available in the Standard difficulty - to access, first download the JPZ, then head over to Crossword Nexus and upload the file to solve digitally. If you like Twists & Turns and didn't pick up the T&T puzzle pack when it was released last year, be sure to rectify that and scoop up a copy today! 

In Rows Garden news, the June bundle has been posted, as well as the 2023 First Half bundle. If you don't want to wait for the bundles, be sure to subscribe today to get the puzzles straight to your inbox every Tuesday morning. 

Happy solving!

Twists & Turns #7

Twists & Turns #7 - Standard (PDF) | Harder (PDF) | Standard (JPZ) | Solution (PDF)

Back with another Twists & Turns puzzle! Didn't realize the last freebie T&T on this site was *last* Thanksgiving, so I suppose we're making T&Ts a Turkey Day tradition, along with midday naps and watching that one Cheers episode with the food fight. You know the drill by now - the Harder version lists the Twists clues alphabetically, and a digital version is only available in the Standard version. To solve online, first download the file above, then head over to the Crossword Nexus solver and open the file there. 

If you're digging these T&Ts you should scoop up the T&T puzzle pack that was released this summer - in fact, I'm offering it at the discounted rate of $10 until the end of the year. Buy it now!

Still one more puzzle to go this month for Aries Rows Garden and Aries Freestyle, so check back soon for the November monthly bundles. UPDATE: November bundles are now posted - apologies for the delay! 

Happy solving, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Now Available for Pre-Order: Twists & Turns Puzzle Pack

I'm very excited to announce the upcoming release of a new puzzle pack, titled Twists & Turns! This puzzle pack features a bunch of brand-new T&T puzzles written by yours truly. Twists & Turns will be officially released August 1st, 2022 - and there's a pre-order special now available through the end of July. Click here for more details and to pre-order! 

Twists & Turns #6

Twists & Turns #6 - Standard (PDF) | Harder (PDF) | Standard (JPZ) | Solution (PDF)

It's been a little bit since I've posted a Twists & Turns puzzle, so here's another! As I mentioned back in March when I posted the last one, I have been working on a T&T project that I hoped would be ready by summer. Well, it's definitely past summer and I'm still working on that project. It'll get there eventually so stay patient! 

As usual I've posted both a Standard and Harder version of the puzzle. For those new to the format, start with the Standard version; for those experienced with T&Ts and looking for and extra challenge, try the Harder version which lists the Twists clues alphabetically. There's also a JPZ file for digital solving, though keep in mind this version is only available in the Standard difficulty. Download the file and then head over to Crossword Nexus to use their JPZ solver. 

A reminder that subscriptions for Aries Rows Garden and Aries Freestyle are always open! Also, monthly bundles are a good way to get a small taste of what you'll get as a subscriber - the monthly bundles have been updated through November.

Happy solving, and Happy Thanksgiving! 

Twists & Turns #5

Twists & Turns #5 - Harder (PDF) | Standard (PDF) | Standard (JPZ) | Solution (PDF)

Back with another Twists & Turns! To recap, the PDFs are available in Standard and Harder versions; the Harder version lists the Twist clues alphabetically, so if you're looking for an extra challenge, go for the Harder version. If this is your first attempt at a T&T, try the gentler Standard version. To solve digitally,  first download the JPZ file, and then visit Crossword Nexus and select the JPZ file that you just downloaded and solve away! Note that the JPZ file is only available in the Standard version. 

I've begun work on a Twists & Turns project that I hope will be available in the early summer. It's fun to explore the different possibilities of the format, including different sizes and thematic variations. As the format is still maturing, any and all feedback is encouraged! Feel free to drop a comment below or shoot me an email with any feedback - positive or negative - that you may have. 

And finally a note that Rows Garden and Freestyle subscriptions are always open! Yearly and monthly bundles are also available. Treat yourself to a subscription or bundle for more puzzling goodness!

Twists & Turns #4

Twists & Turns #4 - Standard Version PDF | Harder Version PDF | Standard Version JPZ | SOLUTION PDF

Back this month with another Twists & Turns! As with the past T&Ts, I've included PDFs of the Standard and Harder versions. The Standard version lists the Twists in grid order, while the Harder lists the Twist clues alphabetically. There's also a JPZ of the Standard version - to solve, first download the link above and then visit the Crossword Nexus Solver to use their online interface. 

The August monthly bundles for Aries Rows Garden and Aries Freestyle have also been added - scoop up a bundle or two (or sign up for a subscription) if you're looking for more puzzles to solve.

Happy solving!

Twists & Turns #3

Twists & Turns #3 - Standard Version PDF | Harder Version PDF | Standard Version JPZ | SOLUTION PDF

Back with another Twists & Turns puzzle! The first two of these seemed to be very well-received by solvers, so it's important to keep these coming.

As with the last T&T, the puzzle is offered in two difficulty levels. The Standard version lists the Twist clues in grid order, left to right and top to bottom, while the Harder version lists the Twist clues in alphabetical order. I recommend the Standard version for solvers new to the format and non-experts  - if I were solving these, I'd prefer the Standard version myself. But I know many of you are looking for an extra challenge, so for experts and gluttons for punishment, give the Harder version a try.

For now, these puzzles are PDF only. I imagine that a JPZ version can be created for these; however, I don't even know how to begin creating a JPZ file from scratch. For those who are technically adept at creating JPZ files, I'd be interested in a tutorial to show me the ropes! Send me an email if you would be willing to walk me through the process.

UPDATE: Thanks to Jeff Davidson for creating a JPZ version! I've added a link above. After downloading the file, use the JPZ solving applet on Crossword Nexus to solve. The JPZ file only supports the Standard version of the puzzle. I've given the JPZ version a test run and it works pretty well. Thanks so much Jeff!

As before, the more feedback the better for this new format - feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email directly. Each solving experience gives me greater insight into how the format plays, so whether you enjoyed it or - equally important - if you didn't enjoy it, your feedback is much appreciated.

Happy solving!

Twists & Turns #2

I've got another Twists & Turns for you this week! If you remember the first T&T that was published back in May, you'll see that I've added a second version this time: a Harder version which lists the Twists in alphabetical order. I had a few test solvers try the Harder version and it played pretty tough, so be forewarned if you try the Harder version. The Standard version lists the Twists in grid order, and I recommend this version for those attempting the format for the first time.

As with the first Twists & Turns, I'd love to hear as much solver feedback as possible! Especially if you tried the Harder version, it would be very valuable to get an insight on the solving experience for these puzzles. It's tough for me to gauge how the format plays as I haven't actually solved one of these myself. I do enjoy writing them and have plans in mind to explore the format in-depth (perhaps in EP form), but I'd like to get a good sense of how well solvers enjoy these puzzles before I dive in headfirst. Whether you love the puzzle or, just as importantly, if you don't, please don't hesitate to send an email or leave a comment.

Happy solving!

Twists & Turns #2 - Standard Version (PDF) | Harder Version (PDF) | Solution (PDF)

Twists & Turns #1

I'm excited to debut a brand new variety puzzle format called Twists & Turns! I've worked hard to develop this format over the past few months and now it's time for solvers to take a crack at it.

The directions for Twists & Turns are included in the PDF below. For the maiden puzzle, I'm only offering one difficulty version, with the Twists listed in grid order, though if I write more of these, I do intend on also offering a "Harder" version that lists the Twists alphabetically (similar to a Harder Rows Garden listing the blooms alphabetically). I want solvers to get the hang of the format first, however, so this first puzzle lists the Twists in grid order.

Because this is the first ever T&T, I'd really appreciate solver feedback on this one! If you liked it, or if you didn't, I'd very much like to hear from as many solvers as possible. I really enjoyed writing this first puzzle, and I have some ideas for further exploration of this format, but you the solver are the ultimate judge, and your feedback will be extremely helpful as I consider the future of Twists & Turns. Don't hesitate to leave a comment below, or you can always send me an email too.

Happy solving!

Twists & Turns #1 - PDF

Twists & Turns #1 - Solution