The DIY has been certainly one of our hottest contests in Christine’s BIG Crossword journal for years and the staff and I are at all times amazed at how intelligent the entries are.

We’re at all times overwhelmed by the massive effort all our DIY contest entrants make to create a crossword and write the clues. With regards to judging the DIY contest, we learn via each single entrant’s crossword, each the grid and clues. We obtain many tremendous entries, so it’s at all times a tough job to choose one winner and our 4 runners’ up.

To decide on a winner we search for a puzzle that everybody can get pleasure from fixing. It needs to be stuffed with phrases and clues that aren’t too tough however supply a enjoyable problem to the eager crossword fan. A number of tougher phrases and clues are okay however too many can simply result in frustration for the solver. When selecting phrases on your grid, I like to recommend utilizing an fascinating mixture of synonyms and common information however strive to not use obscure phrases that solvers can’t discover in reference sources. Preserve your clues brief and concise as we don’t have house on the journal web page for an extended clarification for every clue. You don’t wish to write a sentence and also you don’t want to present a definition; somewhat, a clue needs to be extra of a pointer to the reply.

After you have written all of your clues, double-check your spelling and keep in mind to examine all of your phrases within the dictionary. We regularly see individuals journey up within the DIY contest by together with grid phrases or clues that use American English spelling, however we at all times use British somewhat than American spelling. It is usually a good suggestion to learn again via your puzzle and be sure that every little thing suits collectively, it’s straightforward to overlook a phrase within the clueing course of. Most significantly, have a little bit enjoyable! There’s room for a little bit of creativity when writing crossword clues – it’s wonderful how everybody has their very own type.

I hope this has been useful. Have enjoyable compiling, we stay up for receiving your subsequent DIY entry.
Good luck and blissful puzzling!