Puzzling

I've started baking for the books' launch next month! And my crossword corset is nearly done too!

Containers are a common device which you will come across all the time in cryptic crosswords. You will also see them called Containers and Contents clues. I bet you can guess what happens with this cryptic device, given the name ... yes, letters or words are put inside other letters or words to get to the answer. These clues can be written as A being put inside B, or A going around, or containing, B. For example,  SARONG can be clued as RON put inside SAG – SA(RON)G. And PRY around an ANT to get a  PANTRY – P(ANT)RY. Abbreviations are often used in container clues, especially as it's rather rare for words to break up exactly into "One word put inside another word". So you may find DENVER clued as NV (an abbreviation for Nevada) put in DEER – DE(NV)ER. Containers may also be combined with other clue devices such as reversals (LAVENDER is VEND in REAL reversed –LA(VEND)ER), and anagrams (SCALLION is an anagram of LILAC put inside SON – S(CALLI)ON), and so on. ...

My analysis of the clues in the Gemini Cryptic from  The Canberra Times Friday 6 July 2012 Definitions are underlined (apart from double definition and cryptic definition clues).  Across 1. Tales of feet? (7) = LEGENDS Cryptic definition, feet are leg ends, get it? 5. Demoted at the centre, get all worked up (5) = EMOTE Deletion, it's the centre part of d emote d 8. Demanding porridge with fish (9) = GRUELLING Charade. GRUEL ( porridge ) + LING ( fish ) 9. Return of Eastern opponent (3) = FOE Reversal and charade. Of returns = FO + E (Eastern) 10. A gem of a girl? (4) = RUBY Double definition, both a possible girl's name, and a gem stone 12. Jumper , pocket-size originally (8) = KANGAROO Cryptic definition, I guess? I don't see any clear cryptic device at play in this one. Kangaroos have pockets, and baby kangaroos are originally very little and kept in pockets ... 14. The rest of the layers depends on them (6) = ROOSTS Cryptic defini...

When my Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies book was being checked by the American editors at Wiley, they decided that my handful of risqué clues couldn't stay in. So I edited the offending 11 clues to tame them down. But it's a pity to see such naughtiness go to waste. So I thought you'd like to have a try of them here! I've put the puzzle reference in, too, so you can find the edited versions in the book (which should be available in bookshops in a few weeks now). As ever, my chihuahuas Petal and Griff are the Guardians of the Answers. Have a good try of the clues yourself, and scroll below the pups to see full explanations of the clues, and the answers. The (Slightly) Rude Clues 1. Rampantly sexy, without a kiss? Absolutely! (3) Crossword 5, 21 Down, pg 36 2.  Mesmerist has weird phony tits  (9) Crossword 15, 1 Across, pg 56 3.  Naughty escort's laced undergarment  (6)  Crossword 24, 24 Across, pg 74 4.  101 in advertisement for tar...

My Dummies Cheat Sheets are online at last, and this step really marks the absolute end of work on both books. These Cheat Sheets have some good basic tips on solving cryptics, so keep them bookmarked! Solving Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies Cheat Sheet Understanding Cryptic Clue Anatomy Getting to Grips with Cryptic Devices Tackling Abbreviations Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies Cheat Sheet Making a Start on a Cryptic Crossword Reference List of Common Abbreviations Spotting Indicator Words In a brilliant display of canine reasoning, Petal and Griff have discovered how to travel overseas real cheap! It just might work ...  ;)

Look what just showed up in the post! One of the really REALLY good moments of being an author ... I'm enjoying working at the Attorney-General's Department at the moment, as a copyeditor for their website . It's just a one month contract, so I will only have time to rewrite about 100 pages from their 5,000 page website (which is being completely redesigned as well). Interesting and challenging work, and a lovely team to work with. The only downside is it's a full time job, and I still have to run my business at the same time, only in evenings and on the weekends  :p  So posts may be thinner on the ground until July ...

Here's my analysis of the Gemini Crossword from The Canberra Times , Friday 1 June. Definitions are underlined (apart from double definition and cryptic definition clues). There are several Libertarian clues in this one, so look out! Griff as a little puppy ... he still loves this position! Super Griff! ACROSS 1. They may blow the lights out (5) = FUSES Cryptic definition. 4. He often resorts to a piece in colour (7) = HABITUE Container clue.  A piece  = A BIT, and you put it in  HUE ( colour) 8. Old agreement from extremely early times (3) = YEA Hidden word clue. Extremel y ea rly times. Times  isn't really needed in this clue. From is a rather broad hidden word indicator. Thanks to m1k1 for her more accurate analysis of this clue than mine! 9. Gives up an office from a basic date (9) = ABDICATES Another anagram clue that's missing a clear indicator! Basic date  is the fodder, but there's no anagram indicator. From ...