(Throwback) Jordan Is a Giant in Crossword Construction
Story by Carey Head| Staff Writer
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Originally Published, May 2020
Crossword puzzle constructors work in a world of letters and boxes. The puzzle builder, known as a constructor, determines patterns of words to fit into interconnecting boxes and then devises clues to help the puzzle solver, or cruciverbalist, determine the correct word to fill in the blank.
Attention All Cruciverbalists: There is a giant amongst us. He is Ponca City’s own Patrick Jordan.
In the world of professional crossword constructors, Jordan ranks with the very best. His competitive experience in solving crossword puzzles include tournament, television and film appearances. He competed numerous times in the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. In 2005 he appeared in the theatrically released documentary “Wordplay” and was named champion on the television game show “Merv Griffin’s Crosswords.”
Now retired from his career as an advertising manager, Jordan has more time to construct crossword puzzles, which national publications are eager to purchase. USA Today publishes Jordan’s original crossword creations at least twice monthly. His works also have appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Newsday and the Washington Post, as well as on the internet and in the Simon & Schuster puzzles book series. Jordan’s work is featured exclusively in two books of crossword collections, “D is For Dalmatian” and “Crafty Crosswords.”
“All the puzzles I make have themes. All the long answers have something in common,” he says. He likes to design the puzzle so these three to four long answers “are placed ‘across’ so it stands out to the puzzle worker.”
Jordan keeps a notebook at home and in his car so he can keep a running list of ideas. From something he’s read to landmarks, old game shows, even trivia, it’s all game for his next game.
Ponca City Monthly readers can tackle Jordan’s exclusive crossword challenges featuring Ponca City landmarks, events, history, even trivia. He prefers using “fresh language” and shuns the trend to use obscure references. He also tries to include every letter of the alphabet and keep the number of black boxes to a minimum, which forces him to think creatively.
Jordan began playing around with crossword puzzles as a kid with the “Weekly Reader” puzzles. By junior high he was dedicating his allowance to purchasing puzzle magazines. As he entered college in the early 1980s, he began to design puzzles by hand on graph paper with the clues typewritten, double-spaced, then submitted for consideration. Penny Press, publisher of puzzle magazines, purchased several of his puzzles, earning him pocket money.
Today, computers and desktop publishing have reduced the hours of tedious hand work, leaving more time for the creative process. Jordan estimates he has created more than 2,000 crossword puzzles.
He also creates custom crosswords, including three puzzles featuring marriage proposals built into the answers. To learn more about commissioning a custom crossword puzzle for family, friends or business, visit www.pjscustomcrosswords.com.
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