Sam Acker author page
1 puzzle by Sam Acker
with Constructor comments
See the 4 answer words debuted by Sam Acker.
| M | E | R | S | K | O | P | J | E | A | B | C | S | ||
| A | P | E | W | A | L | R | U | S | M | E | E | T | ||
| L | I | V | I | N | D | I | G | O | U | S | D | A | ||
| I | C | E | C | R | E | A | M | S | I | S | T | E | R | |
| N | H | L | G | A | M | D | E | S | ||||||
| G | A | G | A | J | E | L | L | I | E | D | E | E | L | |
| A | G | E | N | D | A | B | R | A | R | Y | E | |||
| S | R | I | R | B | I | E | L | E | V | E | N | |||
| P | A | S | T | A | S | A | L | A | D | T | E | S | T | |
| A | R | M | N | O | V | S | T | D | ||||||
| I | M | D | E | A | D | G | A | Z | P | A | C | H | O | |
| L | E | I | A | R | I | O | T | E | R | O | E | R | ||
| I | N | S | T | U | P | F | A | K | E | L | A | G | ||
| A | S | H | Y | G | O | F | R | E | E | D | R | Y |
I developed Tetris brain but for crosswords almost as soon as I started constructing them. Looking for crossword themes out of fun phrases went from curious to chronic. Once I noticed the serendipitous symmetry of the revealer phrase, I had to make a delicious puzzle. (Varied reactions to "delicious" probably depend on those who have and have not tried JELLIED EEL.)
Every puzzle has its tradeoffs, though. Downsized and built from criss-crossing theme content, the puzzle doesn't have much room for long, non-themed entries. On par with my enthusiasm for food and sweets, I don't regret stuffing in four dishes. Next time you see me in the NYT, expect some even sweeter puzzle-making.
Utmost gratitude to the voices of persistence: friends, family, and Alie Ward. Thanks as well to the mental exercise of crossword construction and the physical exercise that balances the indulgence of my sweet tooth. So on that note: are life's fondest affections not those exalted in acrostic form?