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I am very reluctant to respond to Crossword Twitter on a puzzle, but I think this is important in light of legitimate criticism from #nytxw, so I will. 1/x
I could start with, “I was almost a complete newb to puzzle-making when I sent this in, and constructed it while whipping up a batch of jambalaya,” Trent said ruefully.
Okay, so that’s the last Tom Swifty of this thread. And ever. For me. I’ve grown a lot as a constructor since June 2018 and would not send this one in for consideration today.
I didn’t know it was kind of hackneyed. My own ignorance at that time is to blame for thinking this was an original idea. I was proud of it then. I wouldn’t be so as much now.
It hurts very much to think something I made was disappointing to people who expected something better. Truly. I’ve sent in themes since then which I thought were far better, only to have them rejected. I understand if others have the same thought about their submissions.
It does take me aback that what I can now see as a legitimate gripe is being expressed with such vitriol. I get it, although I didn’t then. I’m asking to have a puzzle published in a premier venue. I should have a thick skin if I presume to think I can hang in that space.
Take a look at my puzzles on http://gridtherapy.com"> http://gridtherapy.com . I offer them for free. With no expectation of reward or payment except the potential gratification of entertaining people. Which is my goal. To fail in that goal is a great disappointment to me if I have done so.
Any puzzle I publish on Grid Therapy can be brutalized with impunity. I put it up there after likely having constructed it within the last month. The fact that I made this NYT puzzle two years ago is I realize not a reason to fail to criticize it.
I was thrilled for the ‘yes’ back then. I have different standards and understating now than I did then. This is not to say any criticism is not legitimate, because, hi, this is the New York Times puzzle.
The point of this thread is to provide context and I hope I have done that. I’m sorry if you didn’t like it. You’re not wrong. The folks who did like it aren’t wrong either. Just know I am constantly focused on improving and evolving.
Having my most recent publication be from something I did in my crossword infancy is not ideal from my point of view. Nevertheless, know that I hear you people who are dissatisfied. That matters to me and I hope you find my most recent work more pleasing. Be well everyone.