Subject: Criss-Cross(word) Around the World
Posted by: kyleisalive
Date: Jul 01 23
Most of you know full well that the Bus Ride has been a bit of a FunTrivia staple for quite a long time, and for years this section of the site has presented all manner of unique trivia games pertaining to a different country every day, cycling through and hitting every destination without fail.
What we would like to do is start thinking beyond just the quiz. In the ideal circumstance we would be able to present a crossword puzzle as well.
So let's think about this as a long-term stretch goal for our Crossword authors (and first-timers, if you wish to partake in the challenge). We're looking for a crossword for every nation-- starting now (no retroactive ones). Just like the Bus Ride quizzes, they do not need to be Geography offerings, but they should be intrinsically linked to the destinations they're meant to represent. Filler should be kept to an absolute minimum. These quizzes do not need to be symmetrical.
There are a LOT of countries out there, so at this point in time, we'll open the floor and post countries and their puzzles as they're placed online. By all means use this thread here to collaborate and make sure there's no stepping on toes. Once we start to carve a path, we can start determining the holes to fill. Every nation is fair game.
We hope to see you around the world with us. Travel safe!
Posted by: kyleisalive
Date: Jul 01 23
Most of you know full well that the Bus Ride has been a bit of a FunTrivia staple for quite a long time, and for years this section of the site has presented all manner of unique trivia games pertaining to a different country every day, cycling through and hitting every destination without fail.
What we would like to do is start thinking beyond just the quiz. In the ideal circumstance we would be able to present a crossword puzzle as well.
So let's think about this as a long-term stretch goal for our Crossword authors (and first-timers, if you wish to partake in the challenge). We're looking for a crossword for every nation-- starting now (no retroactive ones). Just like the Bus Ride quizzes, they do not need to be Geography offerings, but they should be intrinsically linked to the destinations they're meant to represent. Filler should be kept to an absolute minimum. These quizzes do not need to be symmetrical.
There are a LOT of countries out there, so at this point in time, we'll open the floor and post countries and their puzzles as they're placed online. By all means use this thread here to collaborate and make sure there's no stepping on toes. Once we start to carve a path, we can start determining the holes to fill. Every nation is fair game.
We hope to see you around the world with us. Travel safe!
19 replies. On page 1 of 1 pages. 1
VBookWorm
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Can it be a crossword not in the Geography category? For example, a puzzle about French literature, or Russian movies, etc. Reply #1. Jul 01 23, 10:43 PM |
psnz 
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That would be my assumption. "...they do not need to be Geography offerings, but they should be intrinsically linked to the destinations they're meant to represent." I was thinking about a Biblical offering, based on one of the countries in the Holy Lands. Reply #2. Jul 01 23, 11:55 PM |
| VBookWorm
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I might write a crossword about Russian movies, assuming that is okay. Reply #3. Jul 02 23, 12:21 AM |
kyleisalive
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The ruling is it should follow the same criteria as the Bus Ride quizzes. If it wouldn't be accepted for the Bus Ride as a quiz, it wouldn't work as a crossword. Writing a quiz about the band America would not work for a stop in the U.S. As always, we're looking for accessible content. A lot of people play the Bus Ride on any given day, so we're not looking to attach anything that's super-niche. Writing a Religion CW about Israel isn't a bad idea, but you'll need to make sure you keep tying it back to Israel. Reply #4. Jul 02 23, 8:35 AM |
| psnz
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After much thought (really!), I decided to stick initially to my own back yard, with countries from the South Pacific forum. My first effort on Vanuatu is ready for submission. This medium grid has 38 answers. I think 36 of them are on-theme. I just couldn't find a comfortable way to incorporate HoHo (HaHa/HeHe/HiHi) or sKoL (capitals are crossing letters). That is, unless those are words Vanuatuans might use when drinking kava. Reply #5. Jul 02 23, 9:35 PM |
1nn1
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You did well to get only two clues not on theme psnz. That's the difficulty with this challenge: "Filler should be kept to an absolute minimum" which is different to the 'normal' criteria for FT CWs. I have found if I can get over half of my clues on-theme from the answer itself, one can make some of the remaining words become on-theme with some judicious clue writing. I decided to play it safe (and patriotic) with my first one and stay in my own backyard but even then I had to work really hard and long to get minimal off-theme words. I managed to get it down to only one (but I only had 31 clues). This challenge is going to get really difficult by the time we get to Moldova, Gabon and Suriname crosswords. See if we can collectively rise to the occasion. Reply #6. Jul 06 23, 4:44 AM |
LadyNym
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I have a non-Geography idea for Italy, but I need to see if it is feasible under the rules of this challenge (i.e. filler kept to a minimum). I am also a bit rusty, as I haven't written a CW in a long time, and need to get back into the swing of things. Reply #7. Jul 06 23, 1:40 PM |
| psnz
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Thanks, 1nn1. My next target will be Tuvalu. New Zealand will follow in due course. I'm working my way backwards alphabetically through Pacific Forum countries. For me, finding appropriate keywords goes a long way towards turning out a half-decent puzzle. I'm going to list my strategies/sources below. With a good set of words, it makes it a lot easier to adapt clues to fit the brief. A case in point: the Vanuatu puzzle has PRECEDES as one of the answers. The clue: Comes before; historically the New Hebrides name ____ the Republic of Vanuatu (8) Strategies/sources I'm using: 1. Fun Trivia quizzes on the country, particularly those I know have been used for the Daily Bus Ride. Some authors produce really great interesting information that's rich with suitable keywords. 2. Wikipedia's page on the country, along with the subsidiary pages on the flag and coat of arms 3. The CIA World Factbook. It's fairly up-to-date and complements the other two sources.  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/ (Information on 266 World entities.)Reply #8. Jul 06 23, 3:32 PM |
pollucci19
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Can I get a clarification please Kyle... "The puzzle doesn't need to fit in Geography"... does this mean that I could (possibly) do a puzzle on Jamaican music and it may qualify for the Bus Ride... or does the bus not have a suitable CD player? Reply #9. Jul 09 23, 7:04 PM |
| psnz
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Kyle, here's my Vanuatu puzzle. I hope you'll accept it for the Criss Crossword challenge. https://www.funtrivia.com/crossword/play.cfm?gid=10170 Tuvalu is not far away from completion. I plan to submit this once my next puzzle has been edited. Reply #10. Jul 09 23, 9:31 PM |
| 1nn1
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Here is one for Australia. Specifically written for this challenge: https://www.funtrivia.com/crossword/play.cfm?gid=10173 Thanks. Reply #11. Jul 09 23, 9:37 PM |
| psnz
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I'm pleased to report that "Troubled Tuvalu" is ready for submission. It's a medium puzzle with 32 clues/answers. I consider that 29 (91%) are well on-theme. Those answers without direct connection to the topic are SNAFU, EASILY and ETHICAL. I could have contrived clues for the last two. However, I think that sometimes "less is more". So I decided to leave these as straight clues. Next, I plan to turn my attentions to the Kingdom of Tonga. Reply #12. Jul 14 23, 1:00 PM |
| psnz
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With spanishliz's thoughtful editing, "Troubled Tuvalu" is now online: https://www.funtrivia.com/crossword/play.cfm?gid=10187 I hope it will be acceptable for this challenge. Reply #13. Jul 17 23, 7:14 PM |
| kyleisalive
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Looks great! Reply #14. Jul 18 23, 8:21 AM |
| pollucci19
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Not sure if this will qualify but... this puzzle is 100% on Dutch music https://www.funtrivia.com/crossword/play.cfm?gid=10200 Reply #15. Jul 27 23, 7:00 PM |
| kyleisalive
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I would wager that's a good direction to take. Reply #16. Jul 28 23, 6:22 AM |
| psnz
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Tonga: The Friendly Islands is my next offering for this challenge. https://www.funtrivia.com/crossword/play.cfm?gid=10216 Again, my thanks to spanishliz whose editing made this puzzle better. Reply #17. Aug 04 23, 1:27 PM |
| psnz
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Working my way through the Pacific Islands Forum countries, in reverse alpha order. My next puzzle will tackle the Solomon Islands. Reply #18. Aug 04 23, 2:04 PM |
sam388
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This is my attempt at a crossword on Indian History - https://www.funtrivia.com/crossword/play.cfm?gid=10219. 24/24 clues are on theme. Hope this qualifies for this challenge. Reply #19. Aug 11 23, 8:50 AM |
19 replies. On page 1 of 1 pages. 1
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