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Word Buff's Totally Unfair
Crossword Guide
What is it about Crossword Puzzles?
"Making synaptic connections that have lain dormant for years causes something deep in the pleasure center to squeeze out
a juicy shot of chemical goodness."
—Jim HorneI mean, we all know they improve your vocabulary, and they're supposed to put the brakes on Alzheimers Disease, and all that jazz, but Jim Horne's answer above gels much better with me. If it gels with you too, then hang around...
Because I've put together a whole bunch of pages to help you squeeze more 'chemical goodness' out of your hobby. And what's more... if you can't find what you're looking for on one of the following pages JUST ASK ME, by visiting Word-Buff's Crossword Help Line. I answer most questions within 48 hours.
Word Lists
If you solve puzzles regularly, you'll start to see certain words appear time and time again. Naturally enough, these words are called repeaters, and the sooner you get your head around them the better. So here are some important word lists to get you started...
Most Frequent Crossword Answers
Common 3-Letter Crossword Answers
Common 4-Letter Crossword Answers
Common 5-Letter Crossword Answers
Greek Alphabet
Hebrew Alphabet
Chinese-Japanese-Crosswordese?
Tips & Tricks
Here is a collection of articles I've written especially for beginning crossword solvers...
Anatomy of a Crossword Clue
How to Solve Crossword Puzzles
Crossword Jargon for Beginners
Introduction to Crossword Puzzle Software
Introduction to Online Crossword Puzzles
Where to Find Free Online Crossword Puzzles
Interviews
I'm always chasing interviews with interesting word-buffs. Whether it's puzzle champions, software creators, game inventors or just fascinating eccentrics, I track them down and publish our discussions in the Word-Buff Interview Room.Below are the people I've met so far that I thought might interest cruciverbalists the most...
Michael A. Charles
Dan Feyer
Tyler Hinman
Antony Lewis
Kevin McCann
Trip Payne
Merl Reagle
Reviews
Now and then I come across a terrific resource for cruciverbs. Sometimes it's a 'must-have' book or DVD, other times it's a nifty tool for making or solving puzzles.When I get a chance I write up a reasonably detailed review of the product, sometimes even with a demonstration if I can find the time. When this happens I'll add a link to the following list...
21st Century Crossword Puzzle Dictionary
Across Lite
Crossword Compiler
Crossword Maestro
Community
Looking for others to share your passion for word puzzles? I'm scouring the Web for activities, events and organizations that get word-buffs together to enjoy their hobby in good company.I've listed the groups and activities that are most likely to interest you below, but feel free to pop on over to the Word Games Noticeboard where you'll find even more...
Cruciverb - Crossword Puzzle Making Community
American Crossword Puzzle Tournament
Cruiseword Tournament
Tell Us About YOUR Crossword Activity
And Just For Fun...
Finally, if you're just browsing to kill some time, here's a fun article you might like. It's
the lonely story of Garson Hampfield
- the only man in the world with the occupation of Crossword Inker.
And really and truly finally... If you haven't yet signed up for my free Word-Buff Stuff! newsletter, here's your chance. From time to time I'll send you cool word puzzles, interesting articles about word games, and links to some nice freebies. You'll also be on the 'first-to-know' list when I stumble across a great resource for serious puzzlers. Just enter your email address and first name (or nickname if you prefer) in the box below, click Subscribe, and you'll be on my special members list in seconds!
Find out more...
Return to Word Games Home from Totally Unfair Crossword Guide
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How To Make
Your Own
Crossword Puzzles
Would you like to create your own crosswords for a class you teach, a newsletter you publish, or maybe to liven up your website or blog?
The tool I use for this site is called Crossword Compiler. The picture above shows all the types of crossword puzzle templates it has installed for quick-and-easy puzzle construction (Sudoku? What's that doing there? Blasphemy!).The application ships with a tonne of built-in word lists and a tool that automatically creates all the crossword-fill for you and even works out the clues! What's left for you to do? Well, if you want your puzzle published in the New York Times, you'll want to tweak the fill and the clues to get something truly fun and creative. But if you just need to create a crossword puzzle in a hurry, you can have one ready in less than a minute! The main reason I got hold of Crossword Compiler was to create puzzles for this website. Click on the image below to see the online version of the crossword puzzle I created for Issue 4 of my Word Buff Stuff! newsletter.
While you're there, have a go at it if you like!If it sounds like it might be just the thing you've been looking for to spice up your lessons, newsletter, blog, or even get your puzzles published professionally, you're in good company... In my interviews with professional crossword constructors, I discovered that virtually all of them use it (even though some made the transition to the digital world reluctantly). Actually, that's how I found out about it. So here's where you can check it out and have a play. Enjoy yourself, 
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