Crossword, crossword, what’s that? I heard people talking about it. Sounds like a big deal, that crossword thing. My neighbor’s kid, he’s always got his nose in a book. Says he’s doin’ a crossword. What’s the use? Can’t eat it, can’t wear it. But the boy loves it, that I know. He is always talking about that crossword puzzle thing.
So, this crossword, it’s like a game, right? With words, they say. You gotta fill in the little squares. Up and down, side to side. Sounds like a headache to me. But some folks, they like that kinda thing. Keeps ’em busy, I reckon. If you just start to play it, just choose the easy one. It is better for you.
They say there’s clues. Like riddles. You gotta figure out the word from the clue. And the words, they gotta fit together. Like a puzzle, but with words. Not like the jigsaw puzzles, my grandbaby used to do. Those were pictures. This crossword, it’s all letters. It is not easy, I think. You need to be patient.
If you’re just startin’ out with this crossword business, they say start with the easy ones. The Monday ones, I hear. Don’t go jumpin’ into the hard ones right away. You’ll just get frustrated. Like tryin’ to plant corn in the winter. Ain’t gonna work. Gotta start small, then work your way up. You will be better and better. Just don’t give up.
- Start with easy puzzles. Monday is the best.
- Read the clues real good. Think about what they mean.
- Don’t be afraid to skip one if you don’t know it.
- If a clue is in past tense, the answer is also in past tense.
- Fill in what you know first. It might help with others.
They got these crossword things in the newspapers, I think. And in books, too. You can probably find ’em anywhere. Even those fancy phones, they probably got ’em. Everything’s on those phones these days. It’s crazy. But me, I like to keep things simple. Pen and paper, that’s all you need. If you want to try that, just find a pen.
Now, the clues, they can be tricky. Sometimes they try to fool ya. Gotta read ’em careful like. And think about what they really mean. Sometimes it’s a play on words. Like when they say “not present,” they might mean “absent.” See? Tricky. But that’s part of the fun, I guess. Keeps your mind sharp.
And another thing, that tense. I heard that from my neighbor’s boy. If the clue is talking about something that already happened, then the answer’s gotta be in the past, too. That’s the tense thing. It’s important to be aware of crossword tense rules. And singular and plural. If the clue is talking about more than one thing, the answer needs to be plural, too. So many rules. But you just follow it, you will be fine.
Don’t be afraid to skip around, neither. If you get stuck on one, just move on to another. Sometimes, fillin’ in other words will help you figure out the one you’re stuck on. It’s like magic. One word helps you get another. That’s how this crossword thing works. Everything is connected.
And don’t be afraid to use a pencil. That way you can erase if you make a mistake. We all make mistakes. That’s just life. Nothin’ wrong with erasin’ and tryin’ again. That’s how you learn. Just like plantin’ seeds. Sometimes they don’t all sprout. You just gotta plant some more. That’s what my daddy told me.
If you get really stuck, you can always ask someone for help. Or look it up, I suppose. But where’s the fun in that? It’s like cheatin’. Best to try to figure it out yourself. That way, you feel real good when you finally get it. Like when you finally get that stubborn mule to move. Feels good, don’t it?
So, this crossword, it’s a challenge, that’s for sure. But it can be fun, too. If you like that sort of thing. Me, I’d rather be outside, tendin’ to my garden. But to each their own, I always say. If it makes you happy, then go for it. Just remember to start slow, be patient, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s the best advice I can give ya. I think that is all I know about crossword. Good luck to you.
