The Art of Crossword Puzzle Construction: A Q&A with David Kwon
Summary
David Kwon, a New York Times crossword puzzle constructor and magician, walks us through his process of constructing a crossword puzzle. He shares insights on the theme, placement of clues and answers, and writing clues of varying levels of difficulty. Kwon also reveals a hidden puzzle related to the video’s theme and hints at three other hidden words.
Table of Contents
- The Basics of Crossword Puzzle
- Incorporating Magic into Crossword Puzzles
- The Process of Constructing a Crossword Puzzle
- Tips for Writing Crossword Clues of Different Difficulty Levels
- The Hidden Puzzle in the Royal Flush Theme
- Conclusion
Introduction
Crossword puzzles are a popular pastime and a fun way to challenge the brain. But have you ever wondered what goes into constructing a crossword puzzle? David Kwon, a professional crossword puzzle constructor, is here to give us insight into the art of crossword puzzle construction.
Q&A
The Basics of Crossword Puzzle
Q: What are the basic features of a crossword puzzle?
A: A crossword puzzle typically has across and down clues, with every letter checked. This means each letter in the answer is also part of another answer, either horizontally or vertically. The puzzle grid also has black squares strategically placed to separate the words.
Q: How many words usually fit in a crossword puzzle?
A: The number of words a crossword puzzle can fit vary. However, the most common grid size that the New York Times uses is fifteen by fifteen.
Incorporating Magic into Crossword Puzzles
Q: Can you tell us about your love of magic and how it relates to the puzzle’s theme?
A: As a magician, I like to incorporate magic into the puzzle’s themes. For example, in one of my puzzles, the theme was “trick questions,” and the answers were all words that could also mean “trick” or “deceive.”
Q: Can you give more examples of ways to incorporate magic into the theme of the puzzle?
A: Sure! Some other examples could be using “magician” as the theme and finding words that read the same way backward and forwards, like “level” or “deified.” Another thing to do would be using anagrams in your themes.
The Process of Constructing a Crossword Puzzle
Q: Can you walk us through the process of constructing a crossword puzzle?
A: Sure. The first step is coming up with a theme. After deciding on a theme, I begin by placing the longest answers in the grid, because those words can shape the other words in the puzzle. Once the long answers are in place, I fill in the remaining spaces with letters. I also try to avoid placing black squares in symmetrical patterns as much as possible.
Q: How do you determine where to place black squares?
A: I try to place black squares in areas where it is most likely to break up long words. However, I also try to think about how it affects the grid’s overall shape, so the grid is not too confined.
Tips for Writing Crossword Clues of Different Difficulty Levels
Q: How do you write clues of varying levels of difficulty?
A: For the easier clues, I try to make them straightforward using the literal definition of a word or a popular cultural reference. For the more challenging clues, I try to be more playful, using puns or wordplay to create a misleading clue.
Q: What are some things to avoid when writing clues?
A: One thing to avoid is using a clue with an unrelated topic. For example, you wouldn’t want to use a clue like “Alfred Hitchcock’s favorite pastry” for the answer “croissant.” The clue should also not be too obscure or specific to your personal interests.
The Hidden Puzzle in the Royal Flush Theme
Q: Can you talk about the hidden puzzle in the Royal Flush Theme?
A: Sure! The letters on my lapel spell out “DIAMOND” in ROYGBIV order. It completes the theme of a royal flush. Three other hidden words in the video can be found by paying close attention to the images and sounds in the video.
Conclusion
Crossword puzzles are a fun way to challenge the mind, and constructing one can be an enjoyable creative process. Thank you, David Kwon, for sharing your insights into the art of crossword puzzle construction, including tips on theme development, clue writing, and grid creation.
