In a recent Gameplay newsletter, Sam Corbin wrote about three-word instructions / mottos (like “Eat, Drink and Be Merry” or “Live, Laugh, Love”), and pondered a slogan like that for puzzle solving.
It’s a definite challenge for sure, like trying to come up with a poignant six-word memoir. But I’ve never been one to turn down a challenge simply because I’ll probably fail. I WELCOME IT.
So, today, I thought I would pitch in and come up with some slogans (not all fitting the three-word formula) for various puzzle outlets.
Penny Press / Dell Magazines
I’ve always thought a great slogan for them would be “We’re As Puzzled As You Are.” It’s light, a little self-deprecating, and fosters a feeling of camaraderie between publisher and solver.
But a three-word instruction for them?
How about Sample, Savor, Solve? Sample a variety puzzle you’ve never tried. Savor the ones you know you like. And, as always, solve.
The New York Times
I mean, a good motto would obviously be “All the Clues That Are Fit to Print,” playing off the classic NYT slogan.
But for a later-week crossword, how about Determine, Decipher, Discover?
Determine what you know, decipher tricky clues, discover the gimmick.
The Los Angeles Times
Now, The LA Times has several mottos (like “Read the Paper,” which could easily be converted into “Read the Down Clues”), but my favorite is their historical slogan, “Stand Fast, Stand Firm, Stand Sure, Stand True.”
And when it comes to puzzles, that could be Stand Watch, Stand Pat, Stand Back.
Let your eyes go to the clues you know immediately, trust your instincts on ones you’ve filled in, and then stand back and survey your work to unravel the theme.
Doesn’t really work with the three-word motto, though.
Maybe Stop, Drop, and Roll!
Stop what you’re doing and solve a puzzle. Look at those down clues. And keep trying ’til you’ve solved it.
Fireball Crosswords (and other meta outlets)
For me, it was actually easy to come up with a three-word motto for solving these, because it’s what I do when I try to unravel a meta while completing the grid:
Pattern, Exception, Association.
Look for a pattern or rhythm outside the regular solve. Look for exceptions that feel intentional. Look for associations on a second read.
But what about for a general three-word instruction for crossword solving?
For solvers still getting used to crosswords, I would recommend Blanks, Bios, Back-and-forth or Fill, Famous, Flip, which both fit some of my solving advice for newbies.
Fill in the blank, scan clues for famous names, flip to the crossings once a word is filled in and work on that section.
Oh, and if you suspect a puzzle will be difficult, always remember:
Write Light, Alright!?
Hopefully one of these mottos works for you, fellow solver. Do you have any suggestions, leave them in the comment section below! We’d love to hear from you.
And now for my traditional three-word sendoff:
Happy puzzling, everyone!
PuzzCulture 