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When I go about making a fill, one of the things I like to do is put in some eye-popping letter combinations. Matt Gaffney once wrote that he had enjoyed specifically putting in bizarre combinations that made the solver think he was making a mistake, but in fact was correct all along.

I guess that must have made a big impression on me because I continue to liberally rip off Matt’s style.

What’s better that pulling off phrases like JK ROWLING, PUB QUIZ, and WHAT THE to name a few? What words could possibly fit the _ _ _ T T H _ pattern? The Marquis de Sade side of us constructor shines through, especially in rather tough puzzles where you really have to work for each crossing.

One of the favorite entries I’ve put in isn’t really all that amazing, letter-wise: SHOWS HOW. Yet, when you put it in the grid it’s hard for the eyes to not read it as SHOW SHOW. It’s almost like a combination Magic Eye and Eye Chart.

For those who forgot, the Magic Eye were those crappy computer pixel designs that were sold at Malls during the 90s. Apparently, if you stared at them in just the right way, a 3D image of say Abraham Lincoln appeared.

Okay, new puzzle on Monday. Have a good weekend everybody.

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