The Stickler Weekly 69 Solution

I can’t really remember my first steps when I decided to try to compile a cryptic crossword, however, I do know lots of things I DIDN’T do before attempting to do so. It’s a common mistake for an amateur to just “have a go”, believing that they have enough knowledge from being on the receiving side of something to at least create something reasonable. This goes for any kind of task, not just crossword compiling. I failed miserably at making sourdough after following recipes for four months because I didn’t really understand how to maintain a starter properly. Once I learnt about keeping a starter at home and about how to test its strength, I never looked back.
I had done no research or reading or solved crosswords from different sources before I started to compile. To some extent I had gleaned how clues worked, but you need more as a setter: you need to know why clues and the crosswords themselves are constructed the way they are. Without that knowledge amateurs will produce amateurish crosswords based on the crosswords they solve regularly. It’s very important to learn cryptic theory before trying to compile. Clue types, grid design, grammar, acceptable abbreviations, solvable wordplays, balance, difficulty etc are all areas that need to be understood to some degree BEFORE that first crossword is written. Start with a firm foundation and your efforts will demonstrate that you understand what you are trying to do.
My first cryptic crossword attempts were assembled with solver knowledge with little understanding of fundamental cryptic principles. Consequently they were laughable (according to my brother) despite me feeling that I’d done a reasonable job. Nothing really changed in that area until I did something about my lack of cryptic knowledge.