![]() ![]() USA TODAY puzzles also allow for asymmetric grids, “which means the black squares don’t have to have symmetry,” she says. ![]() Those features include not having the difficulty of the puzzles increase as the week goes on, which means someone hopping into a puzzle on a Friday won’t be staring down the toughest crossword of the week. What makes USA TODAY crosswords more approachable for creators and players alike?Ī few things distinguish USA TODAY crossword puzzles from those of other major publications, she says. Rafkin will suggest edits, but she says it’s important the creators are happy with the end result. Once that is approved, they’ll come up with a grid structure, and after that the clues. “I’m mainly looking to see that the puzzles submitted are a good fit for USA TODAY, are the clues a good fit, are the answers?” she says.Ĭonstructors will approach her with a theme. Part of Rafkin’s job will be to help puzzle creators through those murky passages while also lending guidance as to a puzzle’s tone and theme. “There are times you’ll get halfway done making one, and realize you’re stuck and have to start all over,” she says. Other times the process can be laborious and even frustrating. Sometimes, filling in that middle comes easily. You start by making the edges, “and then it’s about, how do I fill this in with things that feel good to me.” She says the act of making a crossword is akin to starting to assemble a jigsaw puzzle. Who doesn’t like making order out of chaos?” “I found a mentor and discovered that the act of making a crossword is a puzzle in its own right,” she says. “If I want to be stressed about finances and buying real estate, I can just look at my life,” she quips.Ībout four years ago, Rafkin got curious about what it might take to make her own crossword puzzle. But she’s frank about how one of the all-time classic board games – Monopoly – is not on her go-to list. ![]() Her apartment is filled with board games, vintage and modern. Games and puzzles have always been a part of Rafkin’s life, she says. ![]() About 10 years ago she moved to Los Angeles, and while she continues to perform, she has spent years as a mental health professional. Her love for the romantics – Brahms, Liszt, Rachmaninov – is so deep she has a “Chopin” tattoo. Rafkin grew up in South Florida with her sights set on being a concert pianist. When asked about the road to her puzzle maestro position, Rafkin just laughs. That can be a tall order in these polarized times, but Rafkin says simply, “We don’t want to shine a light on people who are doing people dirty.” Rafkin is a concert pianist with a 'Chopin' tattoo testifying to her passion for the romantics If there are gatekeeping responsibilities in her position, they boil down to ensuring that clues or answers don’t involve people or organizations that can make people feel upset. Rafkin says USA TODAY crossword puzzles have featured answers that include a dance that’s native to Samoa, a dish enjoyed by Colombians and words used by the queer community. “Maybe it’s a clue or answer I’ve never heard of, but it’s a part of someone’s life, so we embrace that.” “We have the good fortune of attracting contributors from different backgrounds with a wide range of cultural references and experiences,” says Rafkin. She says she’ll continue in Agard’s footsteps, seeking out diverse crossword creators and topics. Rafkin, 35, hails from Los Angeles and will be in charge of overseeing submissions from dozens of puzzle contributors. Meet USA TODAY’s newest crossword puzzle editor, who takes the reins after a few years assisting outgoing editor Erik Agard. The clue: When she’s not playing Chopin, she’s busy furrowing your brow and making you smile. ![]()
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