January 13 2012
Q&A with LR
Landmark news in the Fairfax landscape – a new compiler swims into your ken this Monday, going by the byline of LR, alias Liam Runnalls. A regular cluesmith here on this blog, Liam will likely be appearing every 4 weeks in the Monday slot – though the schedule is still in being confirmed. Nonetheless, it’s cheering news that’s worth cheering.
So before we venture into LR’s mind-reading challenge of a kind (the final Question here), let’s put this brand-new X of local Xwords under the griller:
1 When & how did the cryptic bug begin?
My cryptic tuition was familial, with my grandfather Eric introducing me when I was a tween. At 85, Eric’s still sharp as a tack, probably due in part to his daily dose of Age cryptic. My uncle Richard also spent a fair bit of time teaching me the ropes. And I was lucky enough to have a wonderful high school English teacher, Teresa Walta, who let me solve crosswords instead of doing schoolwork.
2 How long you been crafting your own stuff?
I was an OCD solver for years before I created my first primitive cryptic way back in 2003. It was a themed puzzle cobbled together as part of a 21st birthday card I made for a friend. Many years of hobby-clueing passed before I dared attempt an authentic 15x15 puzzle, and even then I had much to learn about modern compiler etiquette.
3 You’re a cartoonist too, with Chalk Comics your site. Tell us about your drawing bug.
I taught myself to draw by plagiarising Far Side characters. In fact, I was so eager to channel Gary Larson that most of my early cartoons were about ducks and cows. Eventually I realised I needed to develop my own style, so I started drawing the noses differently. Coming up with ideas for cartoons is a very effective way to fight insomnia.
4 Three things about yourself, one of which is a lie.
I have a metal plate in my face.
I had a small speaking role in The Honourable Wally Norman (2003).
I once witnessed a shooting in Harlem.
5 Special topic on Einstein Factor?
Futurama or Britpop.
6 How will a Monday slot influence your style, if at all?
I think the best way to structure a crossword roster is to make Mondays easy and get progressively harder throughout the week. The New York Times does this really well, and Fairfax sort of follows this pattern. With this in mind, I’ve tried to make my cryptics gentle, but it goes against my natural instincts. Chances are my puzzles might be a walk in the park for many readers of this blog.
7 Been a long + winding road to Monday, your Fairfax debut. Sketch your pilgrimage –
I distinctly remember the moment that I realised cryptic clueing was a high art. I was sitting on my porch in Moonee Ponds and I circled this DA clue: Web novel? He penned it (1,1,5). If you google it, you’ll see that the forums were awash with debate about the clue’s merits at the time. But for mine it was unquestionably gold. I was at university, and it was around this time that I submitted an essay to my English professor earnestly comparing cryptic crosswords to great works of poetry.
Later, I managed to get a job helping to collate the Fairfax puzzles pages, and happened to strike up a friendship (via correspondence) with the man himself! Generously, DA gave up some of his time to show me the deeper secrets of the craft, including the lesser known rules of grid construction and finer points of clue cooking. I’ve been studying, solving and striving for a slot ever since, and am stoked to have got the nod.
8 And what’s been the biggest lesson en route – aside from patience is a virtue?!
I imagine I’ll learn my biggest lesson post-publication, and that will be “You can’t please everyone”.
9 Give us a sense of your maiden 1-across.
Has a tennis surface sense (Jan 16 being Day 1 of the Oz Open)
Is an anagram
Solution relates to welcoming someone important (hehe)
Solution contains LR.
THERE YOU GO, Dabblers: your weekend challenge. See how closely you can foreshadow LR’s debut clut, by posting a tennis-surface anagram clue, with an L and R among the solution’s letters. (Bear in mind, the answer doesn’t need to be tennis-related – just the clue. Though both may apply.) Revelry is owed to the creator of the best and/or closest to the mark. Get clueing.
And a big salvo for LR. Best of luck with your ‘crossening’, as you call it. We shall assess your assorted treasures in Salon 11 on Monday.
Comments
RK — 13 January at 04:59PM
How terribly exciting, LR! I think I might be the teensiest bit jealous. I've always enjoyed your clues on this blog, so I'm sure you'll do great. No pressure or anything...
SK — 13 January at 05:26PM
Brilliant stuff LR! Congrats on earning a spot at the head table. Looking forward to seeing some of your cartoon offerings as well, perhaps replacing the Bristow reruns in Saturday's Herald?
JPR — 13 January at 07:21PM
not really the theme but..
A good spin LR! Lob welcome arrival (8,3)
JPR — 13 January at 07:56PM
forget the tennis..
His appearance means cooking of chunky babe: LP Gas? Indoor explosion! (8,3)
Geoff Bailey — 13 January at 11:54PM
It doesn't have quite enough tennis surface for my taste, but nonetheless:
Kinky – no, erotic – player welcome at court (5,9)
Tobobot — 14 January at 01:51AM
Not so much a 1-across as a 1-, 4-across:
Show star treatment for Lee, hardcourt plotter (4,3,3,3,6).
SK — 14 January at 05:54AM
After first set Nadal changes footwear (6)
SK — 14 January at 05:58AM
Rod Laver punished overhead from Newcombe to become holder on all surfaces? (4,5)
SK — 14 January at 06:03AM
Whoops, sorry about the SANDAL...forgot about the LR requirement. Second clue qualifies, but still misses the def "theme".
RobT — 14 January at 06:20AM
LADYLOVE NERVES: Serve and volley game a threshold requirement?
LR — 14 January at 10:20AM
Thanks all! Very chuffed to have a blog post to call my own. There have been some inspired attempts in this rather challenging task. I think you'll probably crack it - especially after I add that Geoff is definitely the closest to the mark - although the solution is much shorter than ROYAL RECEPTION.
SK — 14 January at 11:23AM
LR, is it something like..
Exciting rallies get crowd on their feet (ALL RISE)
DA — 14 January at 11:35AM
Brilliant suggestion, SK, with a little tweak to enhance the signpost, I reckon: Frantic? Scrambling?
Better tham my inkling:
Heroically smashed by Laver = BRAVELY
Be almost shocked if you haven't isolated our suspect.
Criseyde — 14 January at 01:17PM
Clay "King". Smashes fan. A real lad.
Em — 14 January at 01:18PM
Wow, congratulations LR. That's fantastic news. Looking forward to seeing more &lits on Mondays!
Criseyde — 14 January at 01:33PM
Smashing venue plays only opera.
Criseyde — 14 January at 01:52PM
Great stuff, LR. Enjoy your clues, looking forward to Monday. I think it was Anax who said it is really difficult writing 'gentle' clues. I'm sure you'll do well.
RobT — 14 January at 03:11PM
Well done on your elevation LR...I'll be buying Monday's for sure...
Geoff Bailey — 14 January at 04:43PM
Agreed that SK has most likely nailed the answer and anagrist -- great insight, SK! I'd imagine the clue has a court reference, though (albeit of the legal rather than the royal kind).
DC — 14 January at 05:12PM
Many congrats, LR.
SK — 14 January at 05:13PM
Thanks Geoff, and agree that it is too tempting not to have "court" in the clue somewhere (assuming I'm on the right track). Let's see what Monday brings!
I can't stop smiling about the endorsement of LR's talent and efforts. It speaks volumes about his own endeavours, about DA's mentoring, and about the value of this blog and the encouragement of creative ideas. Great stuff.
One Wheel — 14 January at 06:51PM
Well done, LR. I really wanted to clue POXVIRUS with a 0-15 reference but found it too difficult.
Some attempts:
Point fault hits let - THISTLE
Serena hits fresh energy - HEARTINESS
Umpired rude Federer around middle of set - REFEREED
Geoff Bailey — 14 January at 07:18PM
Also, somewhat belatedly, congratulations LR!
Aside: While pondering this challenge I ended up creating this (not a solution attempt), which I figured I might as well share.
Slim new aerials improved receiver and server with great network (6, 8)
Boniface — 14 January at 07:19PM
Well done LR on getting the gig. I'll keep an eye out for your initials.
Have to agree that ALL RISE as spotted by SK looks pretty good for your 1A, nicely spotted.
Continuing the tennis theme, I remember once seeing INTENSIVE clued thus:
Strenuous tennis club I've joined (9)
Sam — 15 January at 08:45AM
Congratulations LR - looking forward to Monday's paper!
Mauve — 15 January at 11:36PM
Congratulations LR! Every amateur compiler's dream. Looking forward to seeing your name in lights tomorrow morning.
RobT — 16 January at 07:24AM
What a tremendous first go LR! I really enjoyed this neatly packaged outing.
Some fantastic surfaces that will probably leave many win finished today.
Congrats!
LR — 16 January at 09:22AM
Thanks Rob, I hope everyone else enjoys it as much as you!
Re 1-across, SK was closest to the pin, with Geoff correctly noting the use of the word 'court' in the clue.
DA — 16 January at 09:29AM
All rise - the clairvoyant SK (with his intuitive accomplice Geoff), and the winsome wunderkind, LR - for a joyful puzzle.
More about the LR debut over in the Salon.
RobT — 16 January at 09:37AM
SK must have been using tarot, not court, cards.
Criseyde — 16 January at 09:41AM
Good one LR. Enjoyed your crossword very much.
SK — 16 January at 12:09PM
I haven't yet seen LR's debut as I'm still in the US (and can't seem to find a Fairfax newspaper anywhere!). Sounds like a great grid by all comments. So what was the 1a clue??
DA — 16 January at 12:28PM
Court catchphrase for smashing rallies (3,4)
Sound familiar, SK? OR should I say: Nostradamus?
DC — 16 January at 01:05PM
And more congrats now I've done it. Good stuff.
SK — 16 January at 06:08PM
Nice one LR.
And DA, it's a shame I don't have Nostradamus' powers at the blackjack tables in Vegas (or, at the very least, some more of the court cards as suggested by RobT).