Puns & Anagrams #4

Puns & Anagrams #4 - PUZ | PDF | PDF (Grayscale) | Solution (PDF)

Back with another Puns & Anagrams puzzle! Here's another recap of trademark P&A features to keep in mind while solving:

1) P&As feature a fully interlocking grid, and each answer is an acceptable entry in a standard crossword. Unlike standard block cryptics, where roughly 50% of the squares are checked by crossing entries, P&A grids qualify as standard themeless crossword grids, with a max of 72 entries in the grid. Every square is a part of an across and down entry. This affords solvers many more opportunities to solve an entry than a cryptic does, which helps explain some of the looseness of P&A clues.

2) Anagram clues (which comprise about half of the clues in a P&A) do not include anagram indicators, which are required for cryptics. In addition, homophones of letters (or groups of letters) included in the anagram are fair game. So, the word "sea" could signal a C to be included in the anagram; the word "seize" could signal multiple Cs to be included in the anagram; and "seedy" could signal the letters CD to be included in the anagram. The best anagram clues incorporate an anagram into a natural-reading definitional hint for the entry.

3) While anagram clues will include a definitional hint to the entry, non-anagram clues do not require a definitional hint. Non-anagram clues will include cryptic tropes such as hidden words, containers, and homophones, as well as more P&A-typical conventions as visual rebuses, puns, and fill-in-the-blanks.

Hope you enjoy! As always, any and all feedback is greatly encouraged - feel free to leave a comment or drop me an email. 

A reminder that subscriptions for Aries Rows Garden and Aries Freestyle are always open! I've updated the monthly bundles through January 2022, so pick up a bundle or two to see the kind of puzzles you'd get as a subscriber. 

Happy solving!

Snowflake #1

Snowflake #1 - PDF | Solution (PDF) 

Back with the last variety puzzle of the year! I was recently solving this old Hex variety cryptic and thought it would be fun to make a fully interlocking grid using the same snowflake framework. So the end result is not a cryptic, mind you, just a standard variety puzzle with a bonus message to unravel. Testers thought this was a nice moderate challenge - not too difficult but with a satisfying bit of resistance. PDF only for this format - hope you enjoy!

The monthly bundles have been updated through December, and I've also bundled up the 2021 Second Half bundles for both Aries Rows Garden and Aries Freestyle. ARG Year 9 and AF Year 5 kicks off next week, and a reminder that subscriptions are always open! I'd love if you joined the weekly fun. 

Thanks for stopping by and solving in 2021! Personally speaking it was a challenging year, and I'm grateful to have this outlet and I'm especially grateful for the support of all solvers. I hope the puzzles provided a healthy distraction this year! Here's for a better 2022.

Happy solving!    

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! 

From A to Z #1

From A to Z #1 - PDF | Solution (PDF)

To commemorate my recent move to AZ, I thought it would be appropriate to try a From A to Z variety puzzle. To my knowledge this is a format developed by Will Shortz - do correct me if I'm wrong on that. PDF only for this format, and instructions are included on the PDF. 

This was a fun format to construct. Even with unchecked squares involved, the grid was challenging to construct and the cluing conceit allows for some fun misdirection. The format has an ideal amount of constraints - the rules are tight enough that it doesn't feel too loose, yet there's also enough leeway built in that it's not overly challenging to construct as well. Which is a formula for a good variety format! Let me know what you think - I'd be very happy to revisit this format if solvers especially want to solve them.

October monthly bundles are now available! Also, here's a reminder that subscriptions for Aries Rows Garden and Aries Freestyle are always open.

Happy solving!