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Cryptic Clue Competition




It's clue writing competition time again! 
Griff is eagerly awaiting your entries!

Write a cryptic clue of your very own, using an anagram, for the answer word INTERCHANGE. Write your clue, and then post it in a comment below this post.

Don't be scared, you can do it. It's even fun (honest)! Your clue can be silly, weird, funny, serious, whatever you like. It needs to read well, like a mini phrase or sentence (not just a random assortment of words stuck together). Creativity and clue accuracy are what I will be looking for.

Here are some tips to help you get started. 

Remember that the basic anatomy of a cryptic clue is:

Wordplay + Definition = Answer

or

Definition + Wordplay = Answer

So — (a bit of wordplay) (definition) (rest of wordplay) is not allowed. The definition has to sit at the start or end of the clue, and not be interrupted by the wordplay.

In an anagram clue, the Wordplay = the fodder + the anagram indicator  (or indicator + fodder, or some fodder + indicator + rest of the fodder).

Your cryptic clue will need:

1) A definition for INTERCHANGE — this can be as simple, as oblique, or as silly as you like. The definition needs to be at the start or end of the clue (not stuck in the middle). There are several definitions for 'interchange', you can choose whichever one you like. 

2) An anagram (fodder) — this needs to be an exact anagram of the word INTERCHANGE — for example, 'hearing cent' or 'rang teen hi C'. There are heaps of possibilities, and it can run over 2 or 3 or even 4 words. YOu can use up to one abbreviation for one or two letters (so 'Charlie' or 'cold' could = C, in the 'rang teen hi C' example). This is called the anagram fodder.

3) An anagram indicator — this is a word that tells the reader to mix up the letters of the fodder. This can be a word like annoying, bust up, funny, or naughty. There are thousands of possibilities! Look for a word (or two or three) that matches well, and makes sense, with your fodder.

NB: The anagram indicator isn't allowed to do 'double duty' - so you must not use the definition for interchange as the anagram indicator. 

More help:


That's it! You've got a fortnight, so entries close at midnight Monday 4 November 2013, Australian Eastern Summer Time (+11 hours GMT).

NB: if you're going to post Anonymously, which is fine, please put your first name in your comment with your entry, otherwise we won't be able to distinguish all the anonymouses from each other!

I will choose my three favourite clues, and the three winners will be announced on Thursday 7 November 2013.

Prizes will be a copy for each winner of one of my Dummies books, your choice of which book you'd like. 

Griff and I are looking forward to seeing your entries!

Comments

  1. Switch gear with ten-inch shift (11). [Anagram of GEAR, TEN-INCH]

    ReplyDelete
  2. M4 meets M7 for mixed China green T.

    Transpose if enter chinwag without wife.

    Switch gent in reach.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great word for anagrams - other ones include: chart engine; ant cheer gin; eg rein chant; reg cheat inn; ache renting; ec right anne; greet n chain; teen chagrin; chin reagent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My goodness Peter, you're on fire!

      Yes, I thought it was a good word, with multiple definitions AND a good range of possible anagrams :)

      Delete
  4. Substitute and enrich agent, silly!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Convert teaching ren obtusely.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Transpose Ghan in Crete crazily.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you're going to have to nominate just one or two clues for the competition, Peter, LOL! Which ones are your favourites?

      Delete
    2. Hi Denise, I thought I replied to this the other day but I must have forgotten to press the GO button! Two clues I like are:

      M4 meets M7 for mixed China green T. and
      Convert teaching ren obtusely.

      But I especially like the clue by mike weepie below.

      Delete
  7. Bizarre etching near confluence of highways.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Get hen in car, wrecked at crossroads.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tech grannie flipped switch.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Maybe not as directly "anagrammy" as you'd like:

    Misheard rule and something said while surfing getting confused caused one to abandon the high road for the low road, perhaps?

    Reign = rein + "hang ten" anagrammed into a word indicating switching highways. Hmmm ... a bit verbose as well.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Enrich agent with crazy trade? Just the opposite!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can you leave your first name here, so we know who you are (in case you win a prize) please? Ta

      Delete
  12. Replies
    1. Very nice clue, however this is a charade clue, not an anagram ... but points anyway! :)

      Delete
    2. Got it - how about
      insane china regent will bury the money

      Delete
    3. In this clue you've got two lots of wordplay, but no definition ... so 'bury the money' is still a charade wordplay, with 'insane china regent' as an anagram wordplay ... so, close, but no biscuit, sorry :)

      You'd need to use the 'insane china regent' wordplay + a definition for 'interchange' to make an anagram clue.

      Delete
    4. replace the loony china regent?

      Delete
    5. Repair the ENGINE with the CHART, or get a new one

      Delete
    6. Repair the ENGINE with the CHART, or swap it out

      Delete
    7. Can you leave your first name here, so we know who you are (in case you win a prize) please? Ta

      Delete
    8. Isabel - and thanks for the tips

      Delete
  13. NE night race disrupts spaghetti bowl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even I think it should read: NE night race disrupted spaghetti bowl.

      Delete
  14. Cloverleaf in modified gene chart (11)

    len elliott

    ReplyDelete
  15. Replies
    1. Can you leave your first name here, so we know who you are (in case you win a prize) please? Ta

      Delete
  16. Business NOT as usual, Anne - Get rich!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can you leave your first name here, so we know who you are (in case you win a prize) please? Ta

      Delete
  17. Exchange edited bible part with green chai (11). [Bible part is N.T.]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can you leave your first name here, so we know who you are (in case you win a prize) please? Ta

      Delete
  18. Fresh racing teen with inner hydrogen alternation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can you leave your first name here, so we know who you are (in case you win a prize) please? Ta

      Delete

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