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Constructing => General Discussion => Topic started by: tgray on June 10, 2010, 03:32:25 PM

Title: How many 3 letter words is considered too many in a 78-worder puzzle?
Post by: tgray on June 10, 2010, 03:32:25 PM
Hi!  I have constructed a 15 x 15 puzzle for the NYT with 5 long theme answers which I would like to keep.  There are 78 words and 38 blocks but there are (30) 3- letter words.  If most of the 3 letter words are not abbreviations, is that considered too many?  Thanks for your help!
Tracy
Title: Re: How many 3 letter words is considered too many in a 78-worder puzzle?
Post by: XMAAS on June 11, 2010, 12:53:10 PM
30 3-letter words is considered too many by most editors. There are occasionally exceptions made if the puzzle is strikingly unusual in some way.

As for an upper limit... I'm not sure if there is any hard and fast rule. I usually try and stay well below 20.


-MAS
Title: Re: How many 3 letter words is considered too many in a 78-worder puzzle?
Post by: tgray on June 14, 2010, 02:57:05 PM
MAS -
Thanks for your input and I'm still hoping for others to reply!  I have had two puzzles accepted (but not published yet!) by the NYT and the one had (29) 3-letter words and the other had (23).  Naturally, I'm hoping that the new one I've constructed is exceptional enough to the editor to allow (30) 3-letter words.......guess I'll let you know in a few months!
Tracy
Title: Re: How many 3 letter words is considered too many in a 78-worder puzzle?
Post by: Doorbell on June 18, 2010, 10:50:02 AM
Check out the NYT spec sheet: http://www.cruciverb.com/index.php/page=16
Title: Re: How many 3 letter words is considered too many in a 78-worder puzzle?
Post by: Doorbell on June 20, 2010, 09:31:57 AM
(In answer to sepreus's questions, not the original poster)

I'm sorry, but your crosswords are not of the type called "American-style" crosswords, and wouldn't be accepted in the marketplace that this site usually discusses.  Some of the problems are:
My guess is that you have created crosswords in the style of Spanish language puzzles, but they just wouldn't work here.
Title: Re: How many 3 letter words is considered too many in a 78-worder puzzle?
Post by: Doorbell on June 24, 2010, 11:40:19 AM
Dear Sepreus, I'm just saying that your puzzle is not an American-style puzzle, American audiences would not enjoy it, and it would not be publishable in this country.  It may be terrific for other audiences, but not here.  That's just the way it is.