Crafting Clues & Building Grids: The Art of Crossword Puzzle Construction

If you've ever tackled a crossword puzzle, you know the thrill of filling in those little squares and the satisfaction of completing a challenge. But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to make those puzzles come to life?

Dive into the fascinating world of crossword puzzle construction in this talk by Ruth Margolin.  From the clues to the grid design, every puzzle is carefully crafted to provide just the right mix of difficulty, wit, and entertainment.  

Ruth will walk you through the steps of creating a crossword puzzle, from concept to completion.  You will understand that crosswords are not just about finding the right words—they’re a delicate balance of creativity, logic, and problem-solving.  Follow the process, see the resources used, and gain insight into the attention to detail that is at the foundation of a quality puzzle.

Ruth will also share her experience getting puzzles published — where she started, how the process has changed over time, and often, how frustrating it can be.  You may also glean some tips that will make solving these puzzles easier.

 Ruth B. Margolin broke into the field of crossword puzzle construction in 2014.  She has since had fifteen puzzles published in the New York Times, including five Sunday puzzles.  In addition, she has had puzzles published in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the L.A. Times, and she now has a monthly crossword feature in her local New Jersey newspaper.   She also serves as an Official at the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament.  In her professional life, Ruth was the director of a variety of educational programs and schools over the past several decades.  She now spends her time involved in intensive volunteer work in the community, and she writes puzzles as a hobby.  With a love of words and an empty nest, Ruth enjoys the creativity of making puzzles, and she gets a kick out of the conversations that result from her unusual response to the inevitable small talk question: “So, what do you do?”

This program is made possible with the support of the Friends of the Livingston Public Library.