For as long as I can recall I’ve been a ravenous “verbivore,” gobbling books on word origins, tinkering with poetry writing, playing Scrabble, and of course, solving crossword puzzles. My love of language led me to study French Translation and to write a newspaper column on the fun and foibles of the English language. Twelve years ago I discovered a new passion, crossword puzzle construction, or “cruciverbalism.” Drawing on the expertise of many fine American puzzle makers, I’ve been honing my craft ever since.
My early crosswords saw the light of day in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and GAMES Magazine. I eventually sought Canadian markets with my work appearing in Saturday Night Magazine, Quill & Quire and Canadian Reader’s Digest. With the late Dave Macleod I co-authored four Canadian crossword books: Think Canadian! Crosswords (Trafford) and O Canada Crosswords, vols. 8, 9 and 10 (Harbour.) Currently my crosswords appear in the Toronto magazine Zoomer.
My goal is to create themed crosswords that are as excellent as those found in top U.S. publications like The New York Times – with as much wit, sparkle and zing — but made especially for you, the Canadian solver.
Happy Word Crossing!
Barb Olson
Nelson, BC
Email Barb