TfTT’s A Christmas Turkey – UPDATE

Author   sotiraPosted on Categories Announcement
UPDATE (midnight Thursday gmt)

We do have more than enough volunteers to cover all clues now, so thank you all.

Apologies to those who missed out. Maybe next year ….

Regards
Sotira

———————————-

To all volunteers: please check your LiveJournal messages for your clue word and some administrative small print.

If you haven’t used LJ messaging before:
1. Click ‘Home’ at the top left of the screen, next to your avatar.
2. Under Profile, click Inbox
3. Click Messages
4. You should see a message from me.
5. When your clue is ready, go back to my original message and use the Reply button below the message.

If you haven’t received a clue, please look at your comment below. I’ve replied to a few where there were specific problems getting in touch with you.

Please note: I’m not going to use email for this. Even though a few people have provided email addresses, I know some others would prefer not to. It’s much easier for me if to use one system to contact everyone. Thanks for your understanding.

As another year of consuming, dissecting and anatomizing The Times crossword draws to a close, it seems only right that we should give something back. And as this coming season of good will coincides with the crossword’s 100th birthday celebrations, surely the most fitting gift we have to offer is a crossword of our own.

UPDATE ENDS

Setting a crossword is incredibly easy. It must be, because we always know exactly what’s wrong with every crossword. So obviously we can put one together, right? I mean, how hard can it be?

With this in mind, I’ve created a puzzle using a Times 15×15 grid. Now we just need to rustle up some clues. Shouldn’t take long.

If you would like to clue one or two lights for the TfTT Christmas Turkey, please step forward in the comments section below.

Anyone can volunteer. Priority will be given to bloggers and former bloggers, then to commenters. I’ll do my best to parcel things out fairly. If we’re oversubscribed I’ll give first dibs to the more frequent or venerable contributors. Or something.

You WILL need to have a LiveJournal account (free) to participate, since a private message through LJ will be the only way for me to send you the word or phrase to be clued and for you to return your clue to me.

Clue authorship will be anonymous at publication, though you will of course be free to claim credit / admit responsibility for a clue when the puzzle is blogged. Talking of which …

We have a special SURPRISE CELEBRITY GUEST BLOGGER lined up. You DON’T want to miss it! (I think that’s how they do it on telly). And Times setters are warmly invited to come along and join in the inevitable chorus of praise for our efforts.

The schedule is for the puzzle to be published (PDF and online solving versions) on Friday 20th December and blogged on Monday 23rd. If you can get your clues back to me by the 18th at the latest, that would be much appreciated.

So, step forward, brave hearts ….

72 comments on “TfTT’s A Christmas Turkey – UPDATE”

  3. I’ll do one – the thought of the Don dropping by to critique it is just too good to pass up.
    1. Derek – your LiveJournal account appears to be suspended or something. Can you investigate? I can’t message you with a clue.
    1. Hi z8,

      or even more embarrassing (for those that get a submission selected) to have a blank moment, and solve all bar yours!

  8. Count me in! I look forward to composing something universally reviled as utterly dreadful.
  9. I once submitted something to the Club clue challenge. Utter humiliation ensued. Perhaps it’s time for me to repeat the awful experience. Just one clue though.
    1. Hi Olivia,
      You have private messaging options enabled which prevent me from messaging you on LJ (or maybe it’s just me you’ve blocked!). Can you send me a friend request or something? Thanks.
        1. Hi Olivia,
          I got your friend message and sent a reply but it was rejected on the same grounds! Doing a bit of Googling, I think it may be a LJ bug. Some people say it resolves itself after a while so I’ll try again later.
    2. Hi John – sorry, but I’ve not heard back from you either here or on FB so I’m going to have to give the clue I’d earmarked for you to someone else. Apologies, but I need to know they’re all covered now.
          1. Sotira – I have confirmed your FB friend request but still no message. Maybe if you resend it once more it will be ok this time. This is taking more time than the average solve …………. I applaud your patience and I hope the finished puzzle will be worth all the effort you are putting in.
            1. I’ve resent, Andy. I’m not very FB conversant. I only use it occasionally out of necessity. Let me know.
  14. I’m quite willing to have a crack, but won’t be huffed if not required or if my effort isn’t up to scratch. Very pleased to see Uncle Yap back In touch: best wishes.
  16. As I wrote to remind Andy Flower last week, I am fit and available for selection if required.
  19. I’ll have a go, please. Jimbo what is a PE style offering exactly? Political satire? Glenda Slag speak?
    1. Hi Londiniensis – I really don’t want to get into email on this, and I don’t have a Twitter account. Is it possible for you to log into LiveJournal itself so I can message you with a clue? Thanks.
      1. I used to have a livejournal account under this name which lapsed, and livejournal now not letting me resurrect this. Don’t think I can sort this out quickly, so regretfully must decline participation. I’ll look forward to seeing the group effort!
  23. It seems you have a surfeit of helpers but if there’s a gap then I’m happy to fill in.
    Great idea by the way – boot on the other foot and all that. I once watched a football game between two teams made up of referees. Funniest and scariest thing I’ve ever come across!
  24. Will there be an opportunity for us off-line tacklers to have a crack? I only attempt to solve using the actual paper version.
    Rgds,
    RogerC
    1. Hello, Roger – yes, if you have a printer. As the intro above mentions, there will be a PDF version that you can print off.
  26. I’m always late and only occasionally find anything left to say, so way down the pecking order.

    However, most of my clues are turkeys, so I may be of assistance. anthonywdouglas at gmail dot com.

    1. On edit: Hi Anthony – I didn’t hear back from you and had to make a ruthless editorial decision. You’re now on the subs’ bench. Hope that’s okay.

      Edited at 2013-12-12 10:38 pm (UTC)

  27. I’m game, provided you’re prepared to take the risk of my coming up with a slightly old-fashioned clue.
  29. Thanks, all.

    At this point, I have 3 clues not allocated. I’ll leave this comments section open in case any more sign up. If not, I’ll send a second clue to some of the above.

    PLEASE NOTE: your clue words will be arriving in your Live Journal message inbox (I’m not going to use email for this). If you’re not sure how the LJ message system works, please see the update to the main post above.

    Edited at 2013-12-12 03:59 am (UTC)

    1. Hi mct,

      Apparently there’s a limit on the number of LJ messages I can send out in one day with a free account, and I just reached it. I’ll try again to send you a clue in the morning.

      1. Thanks for that, Sotira. I’ll stand by and keep an eye on the LJ mailbox.

        Edited at 2013-12-12 10:26 am (UTC)

    2. sotira, If still short, here I am. Like Olivia, previous attempts at this have proved disastrous but as grestyman says, whats to lose.
      1. bigtone – should be one in your LJ inbox now. I thought I had sent you one last night but it looks like I missed you (I got a bit befuddled at one point). Thanks for bringing it to my notice.
  31. Picked a bad day to leave town and not check LJ. Sounds like you’re full, but feel free to hold me in reserve, say if someone doesn’t come good with a clue or you end up with a completely unuseable one.
    1. Yippee! I was just thinking “strange that George didn’t want to take part”…. And it so happens there’s one left, so check you LJ inbox soon.

      And I’m having trouble setting up communications with a few people so some of the old hands may be asked to do a second one.

      Thanks, George.

  32. Looks like you’re all full up, Sotira, what a relief! With such varied minds set to the task, I’m sure the finished version will be a monster… What fun, and what a fab idea! Well done for organising (bet you were a fine Head Girl in your day…!)

    1. Janie – you’re now the official first reserve so don’t sigh with relief just yet!

      Edit: Janie, I’m afraid you’re now being called onto the field of play …. please check your LJ inbox.

      Edited at 2013-12-12 10:42 pm (UTC)

  33. I could not, alas, check here yesterday, and it appears, Sotira, that your delightful holiday idea has been utterly subscribed. It’s festive indeed! Sorry to be late but if you need another reserve, throw me down. Best regards and happy holidays.
    1. Kevin – another one I was wondering about. You’re on the subs’ bench with Janie.

      Thank you. And season’s greetings to you, too.

  34. sotira – I don’t seem to be able to access anything on my Live Journal page. It says there’s a message from you but it’s unavailable. If you would send it to joekobi@gmail.com I’d be most obliged – with apologies for the inconvenience. – joe.
  36. Hi Sotira
    I tried to send a message, but I’m not sure I did / addressed it correctly. Assuming not: this is an outstanding idea. I’m late, but if there are clues still left I’d be delighted to do one. If not, I am looking forward to being entertained on the 20th.
    p
    1. Hi Paul – I fear you’ve missed the boat this time, but I’ll put you on the subs’ bench, just in case.

      Maybe next year … (if there is a next year – we’ll see how the pilot episode goes).

      Thanks for volunteering.

  37. I first heard this a few weeks ago in an episode of “Keeping Up Appearances” in which Hyacinth was planning a riverside picnic: a riperian entertainment.

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