Cryptics are the ‘go’ these days because they’re both more challenging and more satisfying than ‘quick’ crosswords. 
Australia, Commonwealth of (Press Release) January 15, 2008 --
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A NEW BOOK TO GET YOU UNDER WAY IN THE SMART WORLD OF CRYPTIC CROSSWORDS
The verdict is in. Cryptics are the ‘go’ these days because they’re both more challenging and more satisfying than ‘quick’ crosswords. Solving just one cryptic clue will give you a sense of achievement, while solving a whole cryptic puzzle will make you feel positively triumphant.
If you think you could never learn to do cryptic crosswords you’re off the mark because self-confessed cryptic crossword tragic, Dick Honor, has prepared a book that will get you off to a flying start.
“The fact is, there are a number of things common to cryptic crosswords no matter who sets them,” says Dick. “And these are explained in the first part of my book.”
The book he is referring to is his latest project, Your Start-up Guide To Cryptic Crosswords. Dick Honor is well placed to help you get started in ‘crypticing’ because he’s taught himself from scratch. And, because he still struggles with them, he understands the problems that face newcomers to the art. Being an ex-teacher and ex-publisher doesn’t hurt either.
The second part of his book has a comprehensive list of over 700 words that are commonly used in cryptic clues to build words – a sort of mini crossword dictionary, which is more extensive than any other he has been able to locate.
“The big thing in cryptics,” he says, “is to be able to distinguish between which words in the clue are the ones that lead you to the answer – let’s call them the ‘Clue’ words, and the word or words which indicates the answer the setter is looking for – let’s call them the ‘Answer words’”
Determining which words are which is a major breakthrough in feeling confident about tackling these tricky critters.
The third part of the book has three training sets graded in the degree of assistance provided. Each set has 150 clues, the first with pointers and answers under each clue, to get you into the hang of things, the second with pointers but leaving you to work out the answers (they’re in the back of course) and the third leaving you to your own devices (again answers are in the back).
Now, there are no actual crosswords in the book; it is devoted solely to getting you started at solving the plethora of puzzles already out there. Dick suggests the best way to learn cryptics is to do those in your regular paper or magazine and check them out in the next issue. “If you always use books with puzzles the temptation to turn to the back of the book is strong,” he says, “whereas if you have to wait until the next day you’ll hang in there and often work it out yourself.”
In the end of course, just as in any crossword you’ll need to rely on your own wits. But you’re unlikely to find anything else as comprehensive as this work to get you started into the satisfying world of cryptic crosswords.
Your Start-up Guide To Cryptic Crosswords by Dick Honor.
ISBN: 978-0-646-48389 -4
See www.crypticfun.com.au
A NEW BOOK TO GET YOU UNDER WAY IN THE SMART WORLD OF CRYPTIC CROSSWORDS
The verdict is in. Cryptics are the ‘go’ these days because they’re both more challenging and more satisfying than ‘quick’ crosswords. Solving just one cryptic clue will give you a sense of achievement, while solving a whole cryptic puzzle will make you feel positively triumphant.
If you think you could never learn to do cryptic crosswords you’re off the mark because self-confessed cryptic crossword tragic, Dick Honor, has prepared a book that will get you off to a flying start.
“The fact is, there are a number of things common to cryptic crosswords no matter who sets them,” says Dick. “And these are explained in the first part of my book.”
The book he is referring to is his latest project, Your Start-up Guide To Cryptic Crosswords. Dick Honor is well placed to help you get started in ‘crypticing’ because he’s taught himself from scratch. And, because he still struggles with them, he understands the problems that face newcomers to the art. Being an ex-teacher and ex-publisher doesn’t hurt either.
The second part of his book has a comprehensive list of over 700 words that are commonly used in cryptic clues to build words – a sort of mini crossword dictionary, which is more extensive than any other he has been able to locate.
“The big thing in cryptics,” he says, “is to be able to distinguish between which words in the clue are the ones that lead you to the answer – let’s call them the ‘Clue’ words, and the word or words which indicates the answer the setter is looking for – let’s call them the ‘Answer words’”
Determining which words are which is a major breakthrough in feeling confident about tackling these tricky critters.
The third part of the book has three training sets graded in the degree of assistance provided. Each set has 150 clues, the first with pointers and answers under each clue, to get you into the hang of things, the second with pointers but leaving you to work out the answers (they’re in the back of course) and the third leaving you to your own devices (again answers are in the back).
Now, there are no actual crosswords in the book; it is devoted solely to getting you started at solving the plethora of puzzles already out there. Dick suggests the best way to learn cryptics is to do those in your regular paper or magazine and check them out in the next issue. “If you always use books with puzzles the temptation to turn to the back of the book is strong,” he says, “whereas if you have to wait until the next day you’ll hang in there and often work it out yourself.”
In the end of course, just as in any crossword you’ll need to rely on your own wits. But you’re unlikely to find anything else as comprehensive as this work to get you started into the satisfying world of cryptic crosswords.
Your Start-up Guide To Cryptic Crosswords by Dick Honor.
ISBN: 978-0-646-48389 -4
See www.crypticfun.com.au
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