Today, I was reminded of one of the most crucial maxims for a setter to remember: every clue is harder than you think. This is something I have struggled with in the grids I have set thus far — I don’t want to write clues that are too easy, because that results in unsatisfying solves. I do not want to write clues that are too hard, albeit being technically correct, because if the solver can’t solve them, the failure is on me. Finding a balance between these two aspects has been one of the toughest parts of setting cryptic crosswords. I have only been solving for a bit under two years, and setting for a bit under one, and as such, I am setting at a higher level than I am able to solve at. If I were given one of my own crosswords, I am not sure if I could solve it.

Recently, a solver on MyCrossword, Conto, did a live solve of my crossword Untitled No. 1. This was beneficial to me in so many ways — I was given the opportunity to have someone solve my crossword clues, with commentary, and from watching him solve, I was shown the intuitivity of my clues, if they were realistically solvable, and I was shown live how each clue was parsed. I hope to have the opportunity to watch another live solve of my puzzles in the future.

I hope to slowly learn how to tread the line between too easy and too hard, but it will be a truly arduous process that will take a lot of trial and error. I am confident I have, and will, write clues that seem possible to me, that are imparsable even to the brightest solver. I am confident of the reverse as well.

If you are reading this and solve my cryptic crosswords, I would be honoured if you could help me learn to tread this line by offering your truly meaningful comments and opinions.

Thank you all!