Spork: Your viewpoints are excellent as always, and you’ve given me much to think on.

ddancer, txmagiclady: It’s great to hear from more readers, and to find out what you’re looking for (or that I’m already doing things right for you). I certainly agree that there are way too many lame, throw-away puzzles on the web, which is why I work hard to deliver a consistent product. I’m always happy when people appreciate the difference.

The upshot seems to be that there’s a silent group of regulars who consume the puzzles and who, not being serious mavens, might appreciate the fact that the average difficulty runs around NYT Wednesday. (Since I’ve only heard from 4 or 5 of them, it’s still hard to tell for sure.) At the same time, there’s no doubt that it’s the mavens who are likely to come around and comment heavily and help “promote the brand”. I certainly can’t afford to ignore y’all. So what I’m going to do is experiment, and see how folks respond. I can try a harder puzzle or two, and see how my regulars like them, and then find the right niche.

The “two sets of clues” idea is something to think about, as might be a secondary (perhaps every two-weeks) unthemed puzzle. No promises, but I’ll look into it.

I do think, if Keeper tried, there could be TWO puzzles each week. Either both the same w/ different clues OR two separate puzzles. One easy one hard.

Whatcha think Keeper??

JALAPENOPEPPERS was a gimme, but I’d first wrote STOLENAUTO (rather than STOLEN CARS) which tripped me up a bit.

I know that I’m, pretty much, the only person who ever comments here. And I presume that the Keeper has many loyal solvers and he has the hit stats to prove it — otherwise he wouldn’t bother to publish a weekly crossword.

But, I mean, come on. The Keeper asked for input last week and STILL I am the only one yet to have responded. Two weeks, one comment. Sheesh.

That being said, Keeper, I would like to propose a way to inspire more conversation on this hyar blog o’yers.

Rather than create weekly Tuesday puzzles, why not create Friday puzzles? You can still publish them on Tuesdays, of course. (In fact, I’d be a God-send to get a Friday to solve on a Tuesday.) All you need to do is ramp up the cluing.

I know, I know. Cluing is the dreariest part of constructing a run-of-the-mill puzzle. But it’s the most creative part of constructing a challenging puzzle. Look at that Quiggly guy. He puts out three puzzles a week and their good. He likes Steely Dan, ferchrissakes. Gets lotsa comments. Why? Because he’s an asshole. Because he wants us to do some work to solve it. And we love him for it.

Oh, sure, you could clue KEYBOARD as “Computer component”. That’d serve the purpose just fine — if you wanted to live on Tuesday. But why not clue it as “Joel’s milieu” or something even lamer? Y’see?

As anyone who’s ever competed in the Crossword Tourney knows: The only difference between the “A Division” final puzzle and the “C Division” puzzle is the cluing. The answers are the same. The solution is identical but the challenge to the solver is adjusted according to their skill level.

Keeper,
As a loyal solver of yours, I say this with all good will intended. I strongly suspect that’d you’d get more comments, more interest, more blog mentions (from Amy Reynaldo, etc) if you’d publish a more challenging, unique, more quirky puzzle every Tuesday.

Your construction is tight. Your theme entries are superb. Everything’s in place… except for the challenge to us junkies. Just make everything a little bit more-so and you can have Matt “Jonesin’” Gaffney quaking in his boots.

Sorry if I seem irate, Keeper. It’s just that the New York Sun puzzle is gone and I’m in withdrawals. I needed to take it out on someone.

Thank you so much.