ACROSS LITE PUZZLE: [ IN 70 WORDS OR LESS]
PROGRAM: [Across Lite]
PROGRAM: [Java]
PRINTOUT PUZZLE: [ IN 70 WORDS OR LESS]
PROGRAM: [Adobe Acrobat]
It didn't always look like this was where I was going to end up. Sure, as a kid I salivated over every issue of Games magazine that came to the house, especially during that couldn't-lose streak in the mid-to-late '80s. I even tried my hand at making rudimentary versions of the work that appeared in them. Oddly enough, I completely ignored the crosswords. Oops, my bad. So I guess, maybe, in the back of my mind I would have loved to have worked there, but other things got in the way like “every day things,” and “having to go to school” for two.
So when I managed to start selling crosswords when I was still coasting through college, it seemed like my fate was sealed. Course, graduation came, and shortly thereafter, the stream of shitty jobs. Reality had caught up with me. It seemed like the only outlet for puzzlemaking was “hobby.”
I think the real reason I was hesitant to make the jump to creating puzzles full-time was that I was afraid I wasn't going to enjoy it anymore. I was afraid once I entered that publish-or-perish mentality, I would never have fun doing this again. I think back now that was a completely lame excuse, because, frankly, nowadays I am having the time of my life. Sure, I am writing so many right now, more than I have ever have, but I'm having a blast.
So thank you again, all who've come and supported me. It means a lot.
Oh, and with this puzzle: it is probably the only time 65-Across is ever going to be found underneath 63-Across, much to the disappointment of 65-Across.
And I'll leave you with a first. This song is probably the first instance where a crossword constructor (yours truly) got name checked as such in a rap. Okay, I'm friends with the guy, but still. Take that Merl Reagle!
Brendan Emmett Quigley creates custom-made puzzles for all occasions: birthdays and bar mitzvahs, anniversaries and retirements. You name it. Need a puzzle for your website or your publication? He can do that, too.
Brendan's custom work clients have included The American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, BeerAdvocate, Boston Magazine, De Beers, The Decemberists, ESPN, The Improper Bostonian, Lollapuzzoola, McSweeney's, Phish, Reflexive, The Smithsonian Magazine, St. Martin's Press, Uncle John's Bathroom Reader, and Andrew Weil.
Call (617) 2-999-BEQ or click 
