By Jas Ayles
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a sparsely-filled crossword grid, wondering whether you need to be some sort of intellectual heavyweight to solve it, you’re not alone. But, according to westside crossword constructor Eliesha Rae, the truth is far less intimidating – and much more fun.
For Eliesha, crosswords are more than just a pastime; they’re a passion. “I LOVE crosswords,” she declares, her enthusiasm palpable even over a casual chat.
“I love solving them, making them, analysing them, and I love all the little quirks and ‘rules’ that you learn along the way.” Despite being a bonafide New York Times crossword rejectee, her passion has culminated in a new eBook titled Across It? designed to turn even the most crossword-averse into confident solvers.
The birth of a guide
The inspiration for Across It? didn’t spring up overnight. It started small – a list of tips and tricks jotted down for friends who shared their frustration over the often opaque ‘rules’ of crosswords. “My autistic brain LOVES a rule, a formula, a pattern; so for me, crosswords tickle my brain just perfectly. But not everyone feels that way,” Eliesha explains.
“I know so many people who get frustrated with not understanding all the unwritten rules of crosswords and end up thinking you have to be some kind of crazy genius with encyclopedic knowledge to solve them, but it’s not true.”
Recognising the need to demystify these unwritten rules, Eliesha took her list and began expanding it into something more comprehensive – something that could make crosswords accessible to everyone. The result? Across It?, a self-described ‘How to Solve Crosswords for Dummies’ guide that’s packed with all the insights Eliesha has gathered over a lifetime of solving (and now building) crosswords.
A treasure trove of tips
So, what exactly can readers expect from this eBook? For starters, Eliesha has compiled all the little tips and tricks she’s picked up along the way – everything from deciphering the significance of a question mark at the end of a clue to understanding what it means when a clue says ‘say’ or ‘perhaps’. There are explanations for those perplexing foreign language clues, and even a rundown on roman numerals.
But the guide doesn’t stop at just explaining the clues. Across It? Also includes lists of the most common crossword entries, as well as those archaic or obscure words that tend to pop up more often than you’d think – what crossword enthusiasts refer to as ‘crosswordese’. In short, it’s a cheat sheet to help you navigate the intricate web of words that make up an American (or New York Times) style crossword.
“This is an easy-to-understand eBook on how to solve New York Times/American-style crosswords. Not cryptics – there are a million books on cryptics,” Eliesha notes, highlighting the book’s specific focus.
A lifelong love affair
It’s no surprise that Eliesha has been obsessed with crosswords from a young age. “I’m a nerd,” she admits with a laugh. “I’ve been solving crosswords since I was five, trying to help my mum solve her Women’s Weekly crossword, with the aid of a well-worn thesaurus. I love all things trivia and wordplay, always have.”
And with crosswords experiencing something of a renaissance – thanks in part to a new generation of creators who are updating the genre with fresh pop culture references and humour – Eliesha believes it’s the perfect time for more people to discover just how fun crosswords can be.
Locally, Eliesha has been creating crosswords for The Westsider since the beginning of the year, but she acknowledges that people think they’re tricky. “I’m hoping this will help! And hopefully bring even more solvers into the fold. Maybe there’s an opportunity for a local crossword event, catch-up, competition – who knows?”
A new appreciation for crosswords
Ultimately, Eliesha hopes that Across It? will help people love crosswords as much as she does. “Once you know the tricks, they become more and more fun,” she says. “You get faster, you start competing with yourself on solving time, you talk to your friends about it, start group chats with names like ‘The Word Herd’, chuckle at a well-crafted clue.”
So, for those who’ve ever found themselves stumped by a crossword puzzle, Across It? might just be the key to unlocking a whole new world of wordplay. Whether you’re a complete novice or just looking to sharpen your skills, this book promises to turn those perplexing grids into a source of endless enjoyment.
The eBook Across It? is available at https://www.omfsocials.com/shop/p/across-it-ebook
