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Puzzles for November, 2019
with Constructor comments

Fri 11/1/2019
LIESLALPSDADS
ARTHISTORYEDIE
RICECOOKERCOAX
ASHKUNISDOLLY
TELECHIDES
SLITSSHORES
SLIMYSHOWERCAP
ROBESLAOCRESS
STRIPMALLTINCT
ASLOPEMONTH
ARMIESBERG
IDIOTTOUTSLEE
OMANMINORCHORD
NINEACTYOURAGE
ETSYTKOSTENON

I was very pleased with myself for my clever clue for DECODER RING: "Handy cryptography tool?" — if only I'd been able to take it a step further to the absolutely perfect upgrade that appears today: "Useful cryptography tool to have on hand". To have on hand! I was so close.

Some of my favorite clues today: "This might sound sad" for MINOR CHORD, "Shopping destination that sounds risqué" for STRIP MALL and "Marine mollusk exoskeleton vendor, in a tongue twister" as a twist on an old clue for SHE.

I was 99.9% certain that my original ART HISTORY clue wouldn't make the cut: "Major for those who want to learn Manet things?". But I just thought it was so stupidly adorable that I submitted it anyway (does this qualify as a bad DAD(S) joke?). At least I got to share it here.

Sat 11/2/2019
AMILLILAKEBEDS
TINEARIWILLNOT
BANANACOMEATME
IMONQUIKCHEEP
RICESSTENTRDS
THERESTNORM
HENMEEKFIEND
ACTORDIRECTOR
TERREDEAFTEA
EDNAFRACTAL
ASHNACRENAOMI
DHABICERNRODS
LABELERSCOMBAT
INLEAGUEIDEATE
BEATPOETSENDER

PAOLO: This one started with Erik's home-run clue/answer pair at 38A; from there, I filled the right half of the grid, and Erik worked his magic on the left. As always, Erik was a joy to work with. So many things I love about the finished puzzle are his, including the clues for 42A/60A/61D, and sliding the entry A MILLI into 1A. I really miss his clue for 48D: [Apt name for a fan of "Transformers?"].

Also! Hit up the Crossword Puzzle Collaboration Directory, especially if you're a person from an underrepresented group who's interested in writing crosswords.

ERIK: Pretty much everything that I pride myself on as a constructor/collaborator, Paolo is better at, including the being kind part. It would be infuriating if I didn't feel so lucky to be alive at the same time as him. If you haven't solved his puzzles at Grids These Days, fix that.

Sun 11/3/2019 ALL THE RIGHT MOVIES
STEWSTHESEIBISTICS
COCOAWOPATNEKOASHE
AROOMIEWITHAVIEWVAIN
MELDPRICYLEGHEALS
ESCAPEFROMNEWYORKIE
TODAIMATEARN
ASCAPAMICADANESEA
KIRIIDOLRAGINGBULLY
IRONYMANBRANDSNUKE
TEMGAMERACATMAIS
ANALOGYENHRHASTHMA
GOREBOAELECTSPAM
ETNARAINONJOHNWIKI
GOODYFELLASPOTSOLES
OWNARALCARBSTRESS
TRODAGAVEZAK
STRANGERSONATRAINEE
CHUBSETATTESTTALK
URISAHARDDAYSNIGHTIE
ZONEGALABRUTEAIMEE
ZESTEMMYASPERICEUP

This is my first published Sunday puzzle in the Times, which is exciting for me because I've had at least one puzzle appear on every other day of the week, which means I've finally "hit for the cycle."

I had a lot of fun coming up with the theme answers for this one. The first theme answer that I thought of ended up being a great hint to the puzzle's theme, so I decided not to use it in the puzzle, and I made it the title instead. The puzzle originally had the extra theme answer BULLETPROOF MONKEY in the middle of the grid, but the movie "Bulletproof Monk" was a little too obscure, so I had to remove that answer. However, that allowed me to add some nicer long down answers that hopefully improved the overall puzzle.

I tried to be as silly as possible with the cluing of the theme answers, but some were a little too "out there," so Will changed a few to tone down the silliness. Thankfully, he kept my clue for 54-Across, which is one of my absolute favorites. I hope that everyone gets a chuckle today and that they enjoy the puzzle.

Mon 11/4/2019
BEARDKNEEEARS
ARRAYABELATOP
NICKELBACKGOYA
ACHEOUTALLAN
SILVERBELLS
COSTASBIAS
ASTORTEESCOOS
PLATINUMRECORDS
NONEALOTLUZON
MBASMOTORS
TINPANALLEY
AFOOTALAJEDI
MILLMETALMUSIC
PLIEITEMINANE
ALESTARAREUSE

Happy Monday! I hope you find today's puzzle a pleasant way to start your week.

I submitted the first version of this puzzle in September 2018. The original revealer was HEAVY METAL MUSIC. It was rejected because not all the metals in the theme were considered heavy by the editors. TIN PAN ALLEY was the offender. My extensive fact-checking before submitting the puzzle (the Wikipedia article on heavy metals) had led me astray! The editors pointed out that tin is, in fact, one of the lightest metals on the periodic table. You fine people of the crossword internet will undoubtedly weigh in on this most important of questions. Tin. Heavy? Or not?

In any case, they suggested changing the revealer to METAL MUSIC. I did that, and thus today's puzzle made its way to you.

Some of my clues were a bit of a stretch for a Monday puzzle, so the editors rightly changed them. I will admit to one major disappointment. The original clue for 26-down did not survive: "Rank for Horatio Magellan Crunch." I just giggled and giggled over that one. You know how some things inexplicably tickle your funny bone? Cap'n Crunch is one of those things for me. Did you know the Cap'n was orphaned in World War II and adopted by JFK (who later had his likeness sculpted into Mt. Crunchmore?) I didn't think so.

One more thing. I recently started a crossword blog called Grid Therapy, where I offer puzzles free of charge. Have a look around if you'd like to add something new to your solving routine. I aim to post at least two a month, if not more. You can sign up to be notified when new puzzles appear. I hope to see you there and welcome your comments or emails. Have a great week, everyone!

Tue 11/5/2019
ABBASTEPPIBB
SLUMROMAAREAS
AUTOMATONTEASE
PETRIATARIUSE
ANKLEMONITOR
ANTLERBABY
BAAROYALETAS
LANDSCAPEARTIST
ENDOWEDGEPTA
ERIKEDISON
ROMANGODDESS
AFBABHORKOJAK
STINGJUICYPART
PEKOEOSLOOKIE
NEWSYELPDEAL

The original set included apple, tomato, lemon, and lime, but what sounded good for juices didn't come out so well in theme phrases, and so the NYT editorial team came back with great suggestions in pear and mango. I appreciate their help with the set, and with polishing the grid. Hope solvers enjoy!

Wed 11/6/2019
NTHCRUDECAVES
EAURAZEDARENT
XXXRATINGPANDA
TITANSIRONMAN
ANIZEETOTS
BUBBASPARXXX
ONLYISPOATHS
ODETRIPLEXHOT
TOSCAEONPEAY
SUPERBOWLXXX
CHUMELSRAP
HAVARTIPETROL
ABUJAXXXLSHIRT
PILOTICEITZED
STARERIDESESS

My original clue for XXXL shirt was "Really, really, really big top." R.I.P.

If you're looking to get into crossword constructing, and especially if you identify as non-male and/or LGBTQ+ and/or POC, I'd be thrilled to offer whatever assistance I can to help you get your puzzles published. Contact me via Instagram (@rosstrudeau) or Twitter (@trudeauross).

Thu 11/7/2019
MRFIXITGOTAHIT
ICANTGOFROZONE
MANXCATOCTOPUS
ODDSSABRALOTT
SOULACDENEB
AMESALLELEIRA
SELASSIEALSTON
SHOEHULL
DASHINWORSEOFF
ELIPESETAWILE
BALKSNEWLOT
AMENMOBILMRSC
TONESUPNICEISH
ESTELLEGRANNIE
SAIDYESSAVAGED
Fri 11/8/2019
MSGJIHADDEBT
AILORATEDOUIS
CLAWHAMMERGROK
RECENTREMNANT
ONITSENDOASIS
STANBANJOPICK
CLAYMATIONASS
PEAJACKET
AHASLACKEDOFF
SALLIEMAEALAS
AVOIDPLASMATV
GEEKOUTSWATHE
RAGEPINPOINTED
AGESSPRINGOAK
YOLOSAGESPDA

When I reopened my original manuscript in preparation for this write-up, I immediately regretted not being in the know enough at the time to clue 27-Across as the slang term. Fortunately, the editing team and I are apparently on the same wavelength, as they updated my tired STAN Lee clue for something a little more this decade.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with this one. There's a good number of interesting compound phrases, ranging from a 19th-century botanist to an over-the-top NBA arcade game. Hope everyone enjoys!

POW Sat 11/9/2019
ISITSNOOZEFEST
NAPENOPROBLEMO
ACHEUTTERBORES
PROSECUTORAILS
TENOKSOOCTET
BEANIMUP
ALASIHADABLAST
DEPPTUXESALTO
SUPERFREAKNAAN
RAILPENN
WRUNGBAMAPDA
TOESUSEDASBAIT
IMOUTRAGEDUTNE
GARAGESALEYOGI
ENGLISHTEASNOT

This puzzle had its genesis in an older puzzle that was rejected in January 2017. That was back when I did everything by hand on paper. (Oof!) In the hopes it helps newer constructors, I figured I would share and focus on the rejected puzzle!

The marquee answer was LEFT SHARK, which ended up being a large reason the puzzle was rejected. Editors were concerned that the seemingly uncoordinated dancing shark from Katy Perry's 2015 Super Bowl half-time show was too much of a flash-in-the-pan, and would not stand the test of time. While I'm *still* not convinced that's the case, I certainly understand the hesitation! Lesson: while it's okay to incorporate pop culture into your puzzles, make sure it's firmly embedded in pop culture.

I remember having a beast of a time with the Northwest corner of this puzzle; nothing seemed to work, and I was continually tearing out large portions in an attempt to find fill I was happy with. So boy was I pleased when I went out on a limb and tried sliding FIRST LOSER at 5D! Things fell into place (including the lovely NANOTECH answer at 2D) with only a couple of concessions. The phrase "second place is just first loser" was common to *me* (maybe from board gaming?), and I knew the phrase was generally popularized (or at least attributed to) Dale Earnhardt, Sr. But it turned out that editors felt the phrase was not firmly "in the language," and so did not pass muster. Lesson: a phrase (or quote) familiar to you might not be familiar to others.

Besides those two entries, themeless grids are highly competitive. As such, you need to get as much mileage out of your longer entries as possible. UNDERSEA, ALLOWANCE, PREJUDICE, AIREDALES, and SCISSORS are just not terribly punchy answers. Lesson: While mundane longer answers can be elevated to great answers with proper cluing, too many of them drag a puzzle down.

Perhaps the most important takeaway from the puzzle was that I loved SNOOZEFEST in at 30D. I was determined to get that entry into a published puzzle. Unfortunately, I was beaten to the punch, but hey... FIRST LOSER isn't that bad!

Sun 11/10/2019 DOUBLE SIXES
KTELRICCIDRUMSMUM
GRAILENRONVISITAPU
BASSIINNEEDDOODLEKEG
PEAKSSENIORALAKING
ADMELMGRAFDANDY
DOESSAABBOOKKEEPING
DONHOGRASSYSURCEASE
SRTASNARLATRIASTS
QUEENNOORROOMMATES
STPTATYUGOSLIRA
HEIDENLEAVEONCHENEY
RAREROLFEWHOKOS
ISAACCOOLLYYEEHAWS
METHARKSALVINHACK
PRESALESSILKENDELHI
SWIMMEETTEENNEEDLED
AKBARENOSYINTAD
MOONBOWSOBBERRIGHT
ADOENROLLEESSEEMMEEK
SATDEERESLAVSSERRA
SKYSANERTAUPENEST

Two theme entries that didn't make the grid (the first of which was the inspiration for the theme):

  • Words said when Secretary of State Rice and the protagonist of "Persuasion" are introduced?
  • D.C. military medical center entrance smelled terrible?

(answers at the end of Jeff's commentary)

Mon 11/11/2019
ASHCHESTBASIS
PHOYUCCAADEPT
POOLSHARKASAHI
STPATRUESTON
WINDMILLDUNK
STANCEYOURE
URLSNAPEBOTCH
MAGTEARGASLAM
OMANIHOODPESO
PLANEARISES
BOBBYSHERMAN
ALLPATHCOOKS
KIOSKTHINKTANK
ENOKIEENIEFEE
REMIXDREADSEW

Sometimes an idea just occurs to you, and re-parsing "think tank" as an instruction led right to this puzzle, which coalesced over the course of one night. My primary requirement was that the types of tank — shark, dunk, etc. — possess alternative meanings in the entries, though I wish a more pleasant alternative had presented itself for "gas." I was pleased that the wide-open grid could accommodate several zippy long downs.

Favorite clue that made the cut: 41-Down!

Tue 11/12/2019
ASPSROSYROVES
THATAXLEEVILS
BICURIOUSLEDIN
ARENASRIPENESS
TESTBEDALAMO
BUYAMERICAN
BAGPIPERANTHRO
UHOHDIITATS
ROBINGENLISTEE
BYALONGSHOT
NOTARDOGTAGS
STAMPTAXTURBAN
LINEABYEBYEBYE
EVANSALIANILE
DOSASTONGDEER

GABI: I'm a senior at UChicago, majoring in Chemistry. I write and help edit crosswords for my student newspaper, The Maroon, which is where all of my puzzles have been published to date. I really appreciate this fantastic 22nd birthday (11/11) present from the NYT editing team! Very well scheduled.

JAKOB: I'm a software maker by day and a puzzle maker by night. When I'm not constructing crosswords, I write puzzles for Galactic Puzzle Hunt, an online puzzlehunt that runs each year around Pi Day. Check out some of our puzzles; one I co-wrote is even A Crossword!

Fun fact — we're first cousins. After Gabi started writing crosswords last year, Jakob was at our great uncle's birthday party with Gabi's parents and mentioned over dinner that he'd recently started as well. The rest is history! This was our very first collaboration, which we finished and submitted in May. The theme idea was initially Gabi's, but Jakob helped refine and flesh it out. We brainstormed theme fill together and worked on the grid over VIDEOCHAT. We split the clues by direction and then revised together.

Clues that didn't make the cut… "Alarming comment from the navigator" for UH OH, "What tourists may do at the National Mall?" for BUY AMERICAN; and "New frontier for Grandma, perhaps" for VIDEOCHAT.

Some thank yous: to the editing team for cleaning up our clues and to our test solvers for their useful feedback and copy-editing.

From Gabi: To the members of the Crossword Puzzle Collaboration Dictionary Facebook group for the many resources shared, to my fellow Maroon crossword writers for listening to my freakouts about getting emails from Will Shortz and to my mom, who inspired me to start doing the NYT puzzle in the first place.

From Jakob: To my GPH teammates for endlessly test solving my crossword puzzles, and to Sam Trabucco for offering feedback on so many theme ideas.

POW Wed 11/13/2019
PAIRTAGSADOBE
ONMEOILYPULAR
STUDODORLEDGE
HIPPOTAMUSES
PESSPEXSST
STAYSINSAYOVER
HASTEARVENI
ISTHEPECATHOLIC
ETREACRETOI
LEAPSATSOAPERA
DRYNOAMURB
BALLOONDARTS
IGGYPERICNOOK
ROUTESANEDORA
ADMENELKSSTAT

I knew that combining circles with rebuses, as I had to do, would push this puzzle out of a rebus's usual Thursday slot to an earlier day. So it had to be geared to an earlier week entry. I wanted half of each entry to not have a "pop" sound in order to make the puzzle a little more challenging. Because there are so few words that fit the bill, the grid was a workout. The center entry might be unfamiliar to many solvers but was essential to the puzzle. Thanks to Will and his crew for their help in developing the puzzle with their suggestions.

In doing this construction I learned that a grouping of hippos is known as a "bloat" and the answer to the question, "Is the carnival game 'balloon darts' rigged?" - Is the Pope catholic?!

Thu 11/14/2019
GNATBLAIRSPAS
POLOBOWTOIAGO
AMIREQUESTGRAF
PTSDISNTIT
SIDEAEAUSKIING
COEDUNPCINN
UNBORNSLAMGAP
FITETECAMPWHO
FCCCOCOAYEAYE
EPACRITLYES
OUIINDEEDMISSY
IMLATEUSER
LAINFRENCHOPEN
UMNOAETNATIRE
PIGSTYSONHEAT

My originally submitted grid used the revealer FRENCH OPENS and had ETE VACATION, AMI REQUEST, OUI VOTE, and EAU BALLOON as the theme entries. To tighten the theme (and make the puzzle more approachable for non-French speakers like myself), I limited it to three-letter French words that are common in crosswords. Pop quiz: Which one of these four French words (ETE, AMI, OUI, and EAU) has appeared the most frequently in NYT non-variety crosswords edited by Will Shortz? Hint: It's the one that I didn't know when I started constructing crosswords. Answer at the end of this note.

When I heard a couple of weeks ago that I'd have a Thursday NYT puzzle published today, I didn't expect it to be this one. I pitched this puzzle to tie in with the timing of the French Open, and so when Roland-Garros came and went earlier this year I figured it wouldn't see the light of day until 2020. Likewise, when this grid was accepted it was slated for a Wednesday. So I was quite surprised when it popped up on my constructor preview at XWord Info.

Perhaps the French word substitution gimmick played more difficult than excepted for Will's test solvers — thereby bumping the puzzle into Thursday territory. Or maybe running it so far from the French Open made the theme more difficult to grok. Either way, it means that (once again) I've restored balance to the universe by having as many published Thursday grids as I have non-Thursday weekday grids. ;-)

Answer to the pop quiz: As of yesterday, ETE has been used 282 times (vs. AMI at 241, EAU at 155, and OUI at 89). However, none of them can top the most-popular word of the Shortz era, which at 582 uses is ERA (ha!).

Fri 11/15/2019
ELCHAPOSCROLL
LALALANDARABIA
BRASILIADETEST
ADDSLOTTWHALE
LEONARDCOHEN
RATEDRSEOUL
EXISTICANTEVEN
NEESNITSAKA
OLDSCORESJAPES
CROONGANESH
ISTHATATHING
MAIMSDIONROLF
IMPISHSUSHIBAR
NOIDEATRUELOVE
GANTRYSPRYEST

This puzzle began with IS THAT A THING and LEONARD COHEN. I like trying to find phrases that I've heard in real life, such as I CANT EVEN, and incorporating them into themeless puzzles. The phrase IS THAT A THING is what I often say to myself while constructing a puzzle. Also, I am a huge fan of the late, great LEONARD COHEN and have been trying to work him into a grid for a while, so I'm happy to debut this entry.

A few entries, like LISLE, GANESH, and GANTRY (as clued) are tough, but the crosses seem reasonable, so I think they're fair for a Friday. As always, I hope that the good outweighs the bad, and it's enjoyable to solve.

Thanks to Will Shortz and team for publishing this, especially on the weekend of my birthday — a nice birthday present!

Sat 11/16/2019
GUNSFORBARISTA
ONEWAYORANOTHER
BREAKSOUTINSONG
LEDGESHODUFO
ESTSIPSNODTO
TTOPMAILSIOUS
HOORAYACURA
VICARINCBITSY
CHOSESTEPON
RODESHRUGGERM
PEROTOMANWEE
DENBALLOPALS
ONAREGULARBASIS
HOMELESSSHELTER
ATEDIRTHOTMESS

I wrote this puzzle just after a big update to my word list. I'm generally pleased with how it came out, though I do wish the 15s were a bit zippier.

It always amazes me how often I have the same word show up in two different corners. The English language is so large that you would think that it would be much rarer. I suppose it's a version of the Birthday Paradox, compounded by the fact that words have many forms. This puzzle was just one of many where I ran into this issue. Unfortunately, everything is so interconnected in crosswords that to change one word, you sometimes have to redo the whole puzzle. Anyway, I'm happy it worked out in the end.

Sun 11/17/2019 REPORT CARD
TREADSPIRITSCHASES
CORSETTIMECOPRECOUP
MOTHERSUPERIORINCUBI
KEEPUPDENTISTONIT
ADIEUAGITATUDES
BREAKINGBADNEURONS
LEADGESDARTGUN
ALTARPARKINGFINEORE
SEAPOWERSNORISKFOBS
SETTYPEARTESMIDST
SCARBOROUGHFAIR
MATTEONEASLATETAG
CIAOJOCUNDBEAARTHUR
ADSBUCKPASSINGERODE
NETCOSTREOARIE
EROTICAWORKINGPOOR
MAGUSLOTSASIDER
ACREREBRANDERIEPA
SHELVEBATTINGAVERAGE
SEALINLIEINITEVADES
ESTADOENDNOTEETSEQ

This is a milestone puzzle for me — my 50th Sunday NY Times crossword. I thought I'd reflect on this avocation that has given me so much pleasure and has allowed me to meet so many smart and creative people that I may not have met otherwise. Crossword constructing has been a super icebreaker when I meet people for the first time, and having cruciverbalist on my resume has helped me at job interviews more than once. I'm not surprised anymore that in spite of a 50-year career in education doing important things for children for families, people want to talk more about how crosswords are made than how children learn or how we can fix our schools.

I love both the art and craft of puzzle construction. My creative juices flow when thinking of a theme that is hopefully clever, usually punny, and internally consistent. Today's puzzle, for example, of course came from my experience as an educator. Finding appropriate adjectives linked to letter grades is a common task for those of us who have been graders of student work. Using those adjectives in phrases makes for potentially fun wordplay resulting in a set of "Report Card" theme entries.

The craft of fitting those long entries into a grid is my favorite part of constructing. Working within the parameters of symmetry, under 140 words, and fresh entries are like solving a puzzle of another kind. That part of crossword construction has changed over the years with the advances of technology and the liberalization of what is an acceptable entry. My first Sunday Times puzzles about thirty years ago had to be done on graph paper, with hardcover dictionaries and a ton of trial and error. I still get joy out of finishing a tough corner or coming up with a new entry to solve a seemingly impossible crossing. It's hard to explain how when you're stuck and you put a puzzle construction down for a while, how often the solution occurs to you after some sleep or for no apparent reason at all.

The most challenging part of puzzling for me is coming up with good, original clues. I am in awe of my editors and fellow constructors who have that knack and play with words so effortlessly. I especially have admired fellow cruciverbalists like Bob Klahn, Merl Reagle, Rich Silvestri, Mike Shenk , Will Shortz, and so many others who create so much original wordplay for solvers to enjoy. I try to be as eclectic as possible with my word choices. Crosswords appeal across demographic groups. I believe creating and clueing them with one group in mind, whether they are older folks like me or younger solvers who have quite different vocabularies and interests, makes some unhappy but minimizes some opportunities to learn from each other's generational knowledge base.

What fun it is to have this crossword puzzle hobby. I hope everyone enjoys today's puzzle... and to those who like to critique — go to it! But remember, crossword puzzles are entertainment, not to be taken that seriously, just a diversion from the real problems we all face living in a sometimes unfair and irrational world.

Mon 11/18/2019
MOLDABELOMEGA
OREOBORELYRIC
DOGGYBAGSDINAH
ENAMORSLASTONE
MOLARPESOS
BULLYPULPIT
TASMANIAELAINE
AGEELECARTERN
LUANDAANSWERED
CATTYCORNER
ONENDYAPAT
CHARADESELLERS
AEGISPIGGYBANK
GAUNTINTOERIE
ELEGYNESSEYED
Tue 11/19/2019
AWESWEARATCDS
GELAIRTUBEAOL
AAABLEEDERRNA
IVSRLSELMDTS
NETPAYISAIAH
RIAWASONDAS
SCROOGEMCDUCK
SUNTANOIL
BRINKLLANO
FRANCANATANT
RANGETEMPO
OVASADFACEEAP
SUMOPROXYSOPH
TROTPARESONEA
YAKSSMELTPERT

This puzzle is scheduled to run on the day of my 7th surgery stemming from a rare genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis. The main hallmarks of NF are benign tumors that grow in the nervous system. (It's also a coincidence that the word CYST, near and dear, can be found at 54-Down.) Today's procedure will hopefully be a piece of cake, but like many that suffer from NF, I've had spinal cord surgery and managed chronic pain my entire adult life. If you appreciated today's puzzle, please consider donating to my NF fundraising page. Proceeds benefit the Children's Tumor Foundation.

Also, if you're looking to get into crossword constructing, and especially if you identify as non-male and/or LGBTQ+ and/or POC, I'd be thrilled to offer whatever assistance I can to help you get your puzzles published. Contact me via Instagram (@rosstrudeau) or Twitter (@trudeauross).

Wed 11/20/2019
ACTTDSZESTS
CHANCEITINGOTS
COMOESTAGOTEAM
TOPOLLUZTGI
BLACKPANTHER
EWWSPRINGBREAK
AAHSSONCALC
UTAHEPCOTMITT
ETALIMASNOB
ORCHESTRATEERA
PLASTICCRATE
DENCULHEGEL
OVINESEMPANADA
CEDETOSPINYEEL
LOGANHEEANA

Periodic reminder: the Crossword Puzzle Collaboration Directory is a resource for puzzlemakers from underrepresented groups. If you're interested in writing crosswords (or other puzzles) and would like some tips on getting started, someone to critique your work, or someone to collaborate with, give it a look.

Thu 11/21/2019
MASSROSIEBEAT
ABCSEXTRAALTAR
EARNPLIESDITCH
SSETOILTOGARTY
THEBIGPLEMISAIM
REDEEMIPADCLE
OSSAADAGEESTES
MINDTHEGAP
PRISMARTSYESCS
RECMAYAMEANLY
ACETICSINGOREAN
YOGANTSNESSARA
EVADEIRISHSKIP
REGANMOTTOPETS
RESTPOSSEFRYE

This might have been the hardest crossword puzzle I've ever made—both to solve, and to construct. The gimmick is tricky (but hopefully gratifying!) and because of the limitations it posed on the fill, it meant more hand-gridding than I've ever had to do before in order to ensure some standard of cleanliness and liveliness for the non-thematic fill. But the hope is that, because every word in the grid is affected by the theme, once you get the reveal, the whole puzzle will open up in a way that I really enjoy as a solver.

I hope you like it!

Also, buy my book! Visit my website and Twitter (@aimeelucido), too.

Fri 11/22/2019
SODAPOPOPENBAR
USECARELAVERNE
ROMULANSTATION
OPELBEENTIN
BPLUSFANSFINE
ERINSIRSMASTS
NOTCLEARSASH
SITUATIONSHIP
OUTSCUISINES
GENREWARPOVEN
OLDENODSSNARL
ODELOREDUIS
FERRETSCARSICK
USBPORTONETOGO
STYMIESMORANIS

I'm not a very good millennial, so I wasn't aware of the term "situationship" until I heard it in a Toyota commercial that was playing ad nauseam last winter. But after learning it, I thought it would make a nice marquee entry to build a puzzle around.

This is my first successful foray into themeless puzzles which I find much harder to construct in part because I don't have a custom word list to help with auto-filling (which is purely out of laziness/being bad at computers and not fully understanding the functionalities of Crossword Compiler, not some ascetic stance on crossword construction).

Overall I'm pretty happy with how this turned out except there are more short 3- and 4-word answers than I'd like, and the process of making this exponentially increased the amount of respect I have for constructors who seem to effortlessly crank out these wide-open, elegant Friday and Saturday puzzles.

POW Sat 11/23/2019
ASSUAGELABMICE
SKIPPEDAQUAMAN
WITSENDOUTKAST
ACELEASILENTW
NAMEITNEPALI
PARKINGGARAGES
PRECIOUSREST
POI
SACSFADDIETS
HILARITYENSUES
ARISENSTEELS
RAPHAELBOAPOE
ISAIDSOALTOSAX
FIRMESTBEELINE
SATIRESESSENES

This puzzle draws some inspiration from a classic grid pattern, one that caught my attention when Roland Huget used it back in 2017. As a solver, I enjoyed wrestling with the vast expanses of white space, and as a constructor, I had become fond of working with themeless grids heavy on 7-letter entries. So, when I set my sights on constructing a low-word-count puzzle sometime later, a certain layout naturally came to mind, and I started playing around with the grid on Crossword Compiler. Not really expecting much, I tried crossing AQUAMAN with AQUINAS, and miraculously stumbled upon an upper-right corner that stood out to me as particularly clean and lively. I wasn't having that kind of luck with the other quadrants. When I noticed that GARAGES could be extended into PARKING GARAGES, allowing the puzzle to breathe a bit more, I tinkered with the grid pattern, settling on the layout you see today.

I was fortunate to find a nice fill for the symmetrical corner, anchored by HILARITY ENSUES, and moved onto the middle region. Filling both remaining corners well with the middle in place was difficult — I remember trying countless iterations of the lower-right in particular — but I eventually prevailed and came up with something I was happy with. I'm proud that despite the low word count and daunting layout, the puzzle seems pretty clean, as well as being rather free of esoterica and proper names. This allows more of the focus to be on wordplay, which, in my opinion, is never really a bad thing.

Speaking of which, there are several clues I am glad to see in the final version, especially [Who's first?] for SILENT W, as I think it repurposes the innocuous-looking question mark rather nicely. My other favorite clues of mine include the other question mark clues at 17-Across, 10-Down, and 34-Down, as well as the clue for 57-Across, as to my knowledge, this is the first time such a cluing angle has been used for ESSENES, and I think it's an interesting piece of trivia (a crossword has to have at least some trivia, right?)

I hope you enjoy the puzzle, vast expanses of white space and all. Happy solving!

Sun 11/24/2019 OPEN WIDE!
DANIELCRAIGTAKESHAPE
USEDVEHICLEUNENTERED
COLLEGEPREPTIEDYEING
AFLYELISHASPILLANE
IRKEDAMATIVE
JEALOUSYPRISONESCAPE
OUTINGCADGINGODOR
ABACISHORTOFETCHIN
DIRECTLINESILICONE
SEIBRANDNAMEPRODUCTS
TOOKTOTHESLOPES
SEVENYEARSINTIBETVAT
WEIRDESTDECORATIVE
ARNESSDESERETBELIE
RIGSCOALERSSLALOM
METAANALYSESSTHELENS
MIMESISCERES
SADFACESETALIIFLAP
ALERTEDTOAMAZONPRIME
ATLEISURERAREDISEASE
ROADSTEADSHOREPATROL
Mon 11/25/2019
NADIRGASPNES
ONENOORCASATA
SNACKATTACKSCI
LAUGHLEASHED
DAMNRIALAUTO
RUEBACKONTRACK
IDINAAPART
PINETARSPURSON
WINEDNEATO
CRACKISWACKBIS
HOLAPITHGOSH
AVERAGEHADAT
REXYACKETYYACK
MRIELTONALGAE
SSSASISNEEDY

Hello solvers, this is my third published NYT crossword, and my first Monday. You probably won't be shocked to learn that the spark for this one was the realization that SNACK ATTACK and CRACK IS WACK had the same double-rhyme and the same number of letters. Plus, just repeating "ack" a whole bunch of times sounds inherently funny to me, so there was my theme. The original version I submitted was rounded out with BACKING TRACK and RACK AND STACK, and was rejected because it turns out the latter phrase, though fairly common in my line of work, isn't actually something most people have ever heard. However, Shortz et. al. indicated they'd be interested if I could replace that last themer. Couldn't find another 12-letter entry, so it needed a significant rewrite, but it worked out, and here we are.

Since my other published puzzles were a Wednesday and a quite tricky Thursday, I'm excited more people will be able to tackle this one!

A few notes:

  • I learned while constructing this puzzle that Haring's "Crack is Wack" mural visible today at Harlem River Park isn't the original, which was initially painted without city permission, later defaced, and then painted over, after which a new version was promptly commissioned by the NYC Parks Department. Lots more to the backstory, it's worth a look. And coincidentally, the mural has been out of sight since 2015 due to road construction, but was restored over the summer of 2019 and unveiled just a few weeks ago!
  • The editing team changed a few entries, one of which — ONE NO — I would have needed every single cross to fill in (originally I had CREMA there, clued as "feature of a well-pulled espresso"... as for bridge, I know precisely nothing). The section at 40/41-Down was also replaced in editing.
  • 10-Down: shout-out to my lovely wife's home state!
  • Of the clues that hit the cutting-room floor, the only one I miss was for 59-Across: "T. ___ (distant relative of a parakeet)" 🦖🐤
POW Tue 11/26/2019
DORMPODSUSHER
ACERAPOPSMOKE
THETOWEROFBABEL
ASLOWNANOROSY
ANEWGMAT
THEDEVILYOUKNOW
RUMREDOGEENA
ENOSNECKSYORK
ACTEDAINTNYE
THESUNALSORISES
SEARSWIM
ACAIRICEKLIMT
TAROTCARDREADER
IRENENOUNTOTE
TEASEAPPSELSE

So good to be back in the Times!

This theme idea came to me a few years ago, and it went through quite a few iterations before landing at what you see today. This was a 21x21 (Sunday sized) puzzle first - examples of other theme entries include THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM, THE FOOL ON THE HILL, and THE MOON LANDING. I then pared it down to this 15x15 (daily sized) puzzle using the same TAROT CARD READER revealer.

As for cluing — I'm definitely getting better, as evidenced by fewer editorial changes this time around than ever before. I will say that there are a few clues that I was a bit sad to see changed: Modern-day disquietude, for short [FOMO]; "I can't ___!" (overwhelmed cry) [EVEN]; *express oneself like this* [EMOTE]. The emote clue was certainly a long shot, but as a gamer constantly surrounded by gamers I couldn't not clue it that way (maybe if the clue had referenced Fortnite...!). I also noticed I CANT EVEN as an entry in a recent puzzle by Debbie Ellerin, so, I can see why that was changed!

Anyway, a big thank you to Andrea Carla Michaels for catching a horrible in-grid typo before submission and to Patti Varol for her kindness, patience, and understanding.

Hope you enjoyed!

Wed 11/27/2019
SPASSUNCAMP
HELPCOLONPLEA
ACMELOTTEUPSY
SCOWATRIASISI
TANASHANTINAN
ADDERSEMUEGG
IPECACTRIFLE
SLASHHAHNOOBS
ALSIHAVEITDOE
COTVANGOGHGAG
KEENENNEWERA
SSSNSDOZED
FIATEROS
GROWTHPOTENTIAL
AHAEADOEMBA
POTTEXPEW

MATTHEW: I'm afraid to look at how many iterations we went through on this puzzle. I think the germ of the idea (ha) was mine, but the cool pots element — which took it from 'Hmm, maybe there's something there' to 'We have to find a way!' — was Jeff's.

We came up with a decent version and sent it in... and got a rejection from Will & Co. that said (as I recall) that they liked the idea, but pretty much nothing about our execution, including the revealer and most of the theme entries. Argh! Good thing neither Jeff nor I lack persistence.

It's a pleasure to see this one make the light of day at last, and I hope solvers enjoy the fruits (er... leaves?) of our efforts.

JEFF: Hopefully this puzzle grows on you ...

(Maybe that should have been "groans on you")

Thu 11/28/2019
STEWFLORAOJAI
TOTOLANESLOUT
JOHNNYCASHGAGS
ALIKEARTYAQUA
MACAWSOYUSS
ETABALLSZITI
SELLERLETSINON
ALASSOHO
RIPSINTONONCOM
ACHEDANCEANA
CEOGEOROBED
EWESCLODAFRIN
FINIRINGOFFIRE
ANILANTEDADOS
NEXTBEARDLENS
Fri 11/29/2019
IMPSOWNERTOSS
MORTBRAKECABLE
TRAYLOVEPOTION
HEGEMONYRRATED
ETEENGBIO
WONBIGGUNNEDIT
OCCURWENTALONE
ROILSHEDSVEER
SMELLTESTMISER
TESSERAECANTDO
GATLOGOAR
BIGAMYCAPITALI
OPERACOATSOTIS
NOMINALFEELEFT
OSSATEENSLETS

I'm thrilled to have my first Themeless puzzle published in the New York Times - especially the day after Thanksgiving when hopefully this can serve as a nice post-Thanksgiving food coma family solve.

Anyways, a few notes on the puzzle: First, northwest corner down stack was definitely the basis for the puzzle. One day I heard myself saying the phrase, "I'M THE WORST" (which I say fairly often…), and decided that it would be a really nice way to start off a puzzle. MORE TO COME… and PR AGENCIES were great debut entries to follow.

The rest of the puzzle ended up going through a lot of changes, at the (very very fair) request of the NYT editing team, since the SW corner was most definitely not up to par with the rest of the puzzle. Aside from having less other than stellar entries, I originally had GOOGLE DUO (an app I use a lot), and Will and the team were worried that it might not stand the test of time. So, I went through quite a few revisions before getting to what you see today. In the NE corner, I also originally had AGED CHEESE/REC LEAGUES where today you see BRAKE CABLE/LOVE POTION.

Some other favorites are SMELL TEST and I NEED A LIFT.

In terms of clues, sadly, many of my original ones did not make the cut: PR AGENCIES [Places to go for a spin?], CAPITAL I [Character embedded in the CIA?] and WON BIG [Cleared the table?]

Of the clues that made it through, my favorite is for BIGAMY [Twice-committed crime?].

Anyways, hope you enjoy!

Sat 11/30/2019
ARTCLASSDABAT
ZEROESOUTIFOLD
TEARAPARTSTROP
ESCAPEKEYHENNA
CEYLONLAERTES
USERASCOTS
PHATDEARARIE
AEONJAMUPRUMS
DAWNEMIRBENE
ARGUEDTATA
MJOLNIRENROBE
SUEMEESTATELAW
RISERALOTALIKE
ICINGDATAMINER
BETTYBOXSTERS

I suppose one could say that this grid is in the same "grid family" as my New York Times puzzle published June 22, 2019, though shifting some black squares has left this grid devoid of any three-letter answers. I seeded this with MJOLNIR, which is a fun collection of letters that has pop culture relevance because of the Marvel movies, and built the corners from there in a clockwise direction.

I can't take credit for the fantastic clues for 1-Across, 19-Across, or 52-Across, though I liked my clue for that last one well enough, [Rules with force of will?]

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