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Constructing => General Discussion => Topic started by: ViveLa on July 30, 2020, 10:14:31 PM

Title: Letter Count Distribution
Post by: ViveLa on July 30, 2020, 10:14:31 PM

Hey!

Are there recommended guidelines on distribution of words by letter count?

(For example: you need at least 10 words longer than 8 characters on a 15x15 grid)

I have seen information on limiting 3-letter words, but are there any other guidelines or rules of thumb?

Thanks!

Title: Re: Letter Count Distribution
Post by: axlrosen on July 31, 2020, 03:06:53 AM

There's no other guidelines besides 3 letter words. The maximum word count sort of handles that: If you have 78 words or less in a 15x15 puzzle, that ensures that some entries will automatically be medium or long.

That said, an ideal themed puzzle will most commonly have about 40-50 (?) theme squares, in 4 or 5 theme entries (sometimes 3 or 6). And usually there are 2 or 4 medium or long down-entries (8-11s) that some people call "bonuses" that should hopefully be interesting.

Someone more experienced can hopefully correct anything that's not quite right!

Title: Re: Letter Count Distribution
Post by: ViveLa on July 31, 2020, 05:22:21 PM

Thank you! This is helpful direction; appreciate it!