Australian Crosswords

There’s a device used in this puzzle linking 12 and 13-across (“…”) that solvers often don’t know how to interpret. It’s not surprising really, as it can mean different things depending on the circumstances. In this case the answer to 12-across feeds into the next clue, effectively making the whole clue for 13-across a combined effort. However, it’s also possible that one clue, taken literally (ie forget the cryptic aspect), feeds into the next clue, or that the second clue provides the ending for the first, or even more confusing, that there’s NO relationship between the two “linked” clues. How does this last scenario work? It’s actually a ploy used by setters to cover for one clue ending awkwardly or the other clue starting awkwardly. For example, if the answer to one clue ended with “LAND”, then the setter may use AND in the wordplay. If AND ends the clue, and there doesn’t seem a way around it, something has to follow. Cue our linking dots. Of course, the following clue’s wording needs to fit it with the previous clue’s otherwise the combined effort would be gibberish. There’s no real way to tell which kind of linking is at play, but at least one of the clues will be a whole clue in its own right, so solve what you can and consider all options.

A solver contacted me and asked about the use of SHED in 11-down, which is the last part of the clue and not disguised at all. I’m happy to include clue elements “in the clear” as long as they don’t bear an obvious relationship to the answer. Small words are often used this way: IN, TO, SO etc. So why didn’t I disguise it? It would have been easy enough (although the context would have led to a standard OUTHOUSE-, HUT-style synonym). Every clue should be assessed in its own right and as part of the whole crossword, and with 11-across, I considered the clue was hard enough without introducing further complexity. A setter has the power to control clue and puzzle difficulty, and should have the goal of presenting a balanced effort.

There are many, many decisions a setter has to make as they develop their own style. I think most start out being a combination of their favourite setters’ styles, and gradually change as nuances are introduced and their knowledge of setting grows. I’ve cut out a number of elements from my setting over the years, and changed the way I employ certain devices. One of those is the common hidden clue, where the answer is embedded in the wordplay. I couldn’t understand why it’s acceptable for this type of clue to be different from other types, in that it doesn’t always have two separate parts that can independently lead the solver to the answer. Consequently, my hidden clues are written a particular way which is generally different from most setters. 19-across in this crossword is a classic example of my hidden style.