What the site is

This blog will mostly contain mini cryptic crossword puzzles, just a few clues each. Solutions are posted immediately before the next puzzle is posted. You have to click through to read all solutions to avoid accidental spoiling, but otherwise they’re in plaintext, so be careful clicking around!

Why I started it

I’ve always enjoyed trading clues with other cryptic aficionados. But most clues aren’t usually solved (or solvable) without any crossing letters to help. I thought that a good way to share some fiendish wordplay in doable, bite-size challenges would be to make mini-cryptics.

Writing process

Of course, committing myself to a blog like this is also an exercise to sharpen my clue-writing chops. Waiting for inspiration to write occasional clues is fun, but probably doesn’t improve my writing much.

I generally make a mini-puzzle over the course of a day. I jot down a quick grid of words in the morning—the first that come to mind, whether wordplay seems promising or not—and then during the various downtimes of my day (commute, shower, etc.), I try to craft a solid clue for each word. And then I try to craft another, using completely different wordplay and as distinct a definition as possible. The further I have to stretch, the more possibilities I’ll entertain, and the better the clues will be (hopefully).

But why stop there? Then I try to push myself to three, then four, then five completely distinct clues. Meh, two is enough.

Author

By the way, I’m Jordan. Thanks for visiting! I’ve made other puzzles, which you can read about on my personal webpage.