New York Times, Monday, February 17, 2020

I have enjoyed word puzzles, and especially crosswords, for a long time. About a year and a half ago, I was working a New York Times puzzle when I had the thought, "Who makes these puzzles? Could I make crossword puzzles?" After doing a lot of research, experiencing a significant amount of construction trial and error, and receiving some helpful advice from editors and other constructors, it turns out that I can. I am delighted to be making my debut in the New York Times!

I live in the crossword-friendly state of IOWA. Over the last thirty years I have had multiple professions, including pharmacist, research assistant, at-home mom, adjunct professor of Pharmacology, Children's Ministry Director, and freelance writer. I am currently semi-retired, which has given me time to tackle the adventure of writing crossword puzzles.

When I finished reading "Becoming" by Michelle Obama, I wondered how many other first ladies had written memoirs, and that's how the idea for this puzzle was born. After a couple of revisions, the puzzle was accepted in April of 2019 with the plan of saving it for President's Day. I didn't design the puzzle with President's Day in mind, but I think it's a good fit. I hope you have as much fun solving my puzzle as I had constructing it.

I wasn't sure what to expect from "Becoming." Of course I knew of Michelle Obama, but only as a first lady, not as an author. In the back of my head, I was skeptical. So many celebs write a book — that's more like "write" and "book."

Wow, was I wrong! Hearing her perspectives, learning about what made her into her, and getting insight into the Obama White House years was amazing. I was glad to see her featured today, front and center.

I was also glad to see another first-time author featured today. I would never have asked myself how many other first ladies have written books. It's so important for crosswords to cover a huge range of ideas — it's the key reason why I haven't become bored with crosswords in 10+ years now.

Fun to get NUBBLY and GLUEY next to each other. Now there are some words you don't see every day! Well, unless you read this column every day, in which case you're probably laughing at me right now. Glue glue glue!

Five longish themers is so tough, especially when you have a central 13 and two 14s. Sally did about the best job you could do with the layout, although I've found that pinching ROSALYNN CARTER and HILLARY CLINTON one row toward the middle often helps.

That might be counterintuitive. Maybe you'd think that more space between these three would be better, but as long as you can figure out a way to make the very center work, it usually means the rest of the puzzle is much smoother. You'd be able to avoid tough problems like the lower right corner (OVOID and OVUM are basically duplicates, and ISS and MDSE are not good). As it, it's kind of A MESS from a technical perspective.

Another revision in gridwork would have helped, but just like a first-time author must above all tell an interesting story, a first-time constructor must present a captivating theme. Success for both Michelle Obama and Sally Hoelscher!