# A cruciverbalist quandary... **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 1, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cruciverbalist-quandary/623725 "2012-06-01T01:07:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Riotous84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e36b37/32.png) [@Riotous84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riotous84)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cruciverbalist-quandary/623725/1 "2012-06-01T01:07:20Z")
Hello all, I like crosswords so much I’ve decided to try my hand at making one. As if it weren’t difficult enough to find an appropriate template, I am having an even harder time trying to figure out how to arrange the shading in an otherwise blank grid. Suggestions? Resources? I’m hoping that someone can weigh in on this matter. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cruciverbalist-quandary/623725/2 "2012-06-01T01:32:13Z")
I’ve made some crosswords. I struggled with exactly that question until it occurred to me to look at the layout of some Monday NYT puzzles, many of which (at the time) had somewhat similar formats. Good luck, and please share when you’re done! ---
**Author:** ![Riotous84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e36b37/32.png) [@Riotous84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riotous84)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cruciverbalist-quandary/623725/3 "2012-06-01T01:46:22Z")
Yes, I’ve done the same but that doesn’t help me much…when I take my clues and count out the spaces things seem fine at first, but as I get further along I eventually end up over shading and then having to rework the puzzle all together…I’m not sure what vital step I’m missing…should I be doing all of the across clues first and then the down clues or should I do them alternately? I’m not even sure if that’s the problem, but think it might have something to do with it… ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cruciverbalist-quandary/623725/4 "2012-06-01T16:43:13Z")
Do the clues last. Get the grid of words put together entirely, _then_ start worrying about how you’re going to clue all of those words. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cruciverbalist-quandary/623725/5 "2012-06-01T17:04:19Z")
About a year ago or so, I came across a software program online that helps one construct crosswords. I would have downloaded it (I think it was free), but it didn’t work on a Mac. I’ll bet a Google search would help you find that program, or another one similar to it. (Unless you consider that cheating.) ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cruciverbalist-quandary/623725/6 "2012-06-01T18:59:11Z")
You can see some of the process of constructing crosswords in the documentary Wordplay. It’s about more than just that, but if you’re into crossword puzzles and haven’t seen it, I’d definitely recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![Riotous84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e36b37/32.png) [@Riotous84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riotous84)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cruciverbalist-quandary/623725/7 "2012-06-01T19:34:59Z")
@Chronos - Thanks for the suggestion! So the shading is completely arbitrary then? @Spiff - I wouldn’t consider that cheating at all, though all my prior searches haven’t been fruitful…I’ve either found unsuitable templates or the programs haven’t been free, but thanks regardless… @PanamaJack - Yes, I’ve seen Wordplay, but don’t recall there being any info there which would be helpful in this case…perhaps I should review it…thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cruciverbalist-quandary/623725/8 "2012-06-01T19:53:49Z")
> [@Riotous84](#): > > So the shading is completely arbitrary then? By “shading” do you mean the pattern of the grid—the positioning of black squares? There are rules: In a standard, American-style crossword, the grid has to be symmetrical; there can’t be any uncrossed squares (squares that are part of an Across word but not a Down word, or vice versa); all words must be at least three letters long; and there can’t be sections of the puzzle that are “walled off” or unconnected from the rest. [Here’s one site I found](http://puzzles.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=puzzles&cdn=hobbies&tm=80&f=00&su=p284.13.342.ip_&tt=11&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.crossdown.com/howtomake.htm) that explains, very briefly, how to make crosswords, though I’m not sure I buy everything he has to say (Avoid trademarks because you could get sued? :dubious:). There are better, more complete explanations out there of how to construct a crossword puzzle, in books if not online, but I couldn’t find any to link to just now. Maybe **twickster** will check in; she’s worked in the crossword puzzle industry. ---
**Author:** ![Riotous84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e36b37/32.png) [@Riotous84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riotous84)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cruciverbalist-quandary/623725/9 "2012-06-01T20:49:37Z")
@Thudlow: Thank you for all of your help and information…gives me a very good idea of what to do next! ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cruciverbalist-quandary/623725/10 "2012-06-02T02:17:39Z")
Glancing over **Thudlow** ’s link, it looks like a pretty good intro. If you have specific questions I’ll be glad to answer them, but I’m not going to write a how-to. ---
**Author:** ![Riotous84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e36b37/32.png) [@Riotous84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riotous84)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cruciverbalist-quandary/623725/11 "2012-06-02T03:33:44Z")
Yes Twickster, I will be sure to ask should I encounter any stumbling blocks from here on out… and yes, Thudlow provided a link to a great resource…it’s so odd that in all I my searches I didn’t come across it, but stranger things have happened, I suppose…I really appreciate everyone who contributed to my cause! -Riotous84