(a) Chose an upbeat subject. Avoid offensive topics such as illness, death,bigorty, and any topics involving dark humor. Remember, this is a family friendly site.

(b) Start with a snappy introduction introducing the story. Be sure all variables are provided in either the introduction or the clues.

(c) End the introduction with a query for the solver that specifically requests everything that the solver needs to find in the form:

• DO use a query such as "Determine each vacationer's first and last names, the state each visited, and the day of each person's arrival"

• DO NOT use a query such as "Who went where and when?" If you are only asking for one thing, such in the Einstein Puzzle, that is fine. Ask for exactly what it is you want the solver to find.

(d) Be sure the order of the items asked for in the question is exactly the same as that provided in the solving chart and/or summary table, as well as in the summary of the solution.

CLUES AND SOLUTION

(a) As indicated above, every variable must be mentioned at least once in either the introduction or the clues. Work through the puzzle, checking off each entry in the solving chart as it is mentioned in the puzzle clues. Include unchecked entries in the introduction, as in the following example.

• Determine each person's first and last name (one first name is Teresa and one surname is Chandler), the city (one is Denver) to which each traveled, and the age of each person (18, 20, 21, 26, or 29).

• Categories comprised of numbers, in any form, should be listed in their entirety in the introduction.

(b) Every part of every clue should be necessary to solving the puzzle. A bit of humor is great as long as it isn't too lengthy and does not distract from the 'storyline.' Avoid lengthy clues as well.

(c) The detailed solution should be clear and concise. A clue number should be provided following each reference. Once the relationship of two variables has been established, it usually isn't necessary to repeat the relationship when subsequent aspects of the relationship are established, uless these are critical to the deduction. To remind the solver, if you wish, the variables already determined might be added in brackets .

EXAMPLE

Note: This particular puzzle accompanied my set of guidelines I received from Penny Press many moons ago when I first started. :-)

THE UNTOYS

In spite of all the wonderful toys in most children's closest, it is a well-known fact that they often prefer to play with common household items. Each of Ms. Thompson's five children, including Millie, has a favorite plaything that isn't a toy. From the information supplied, determine the object with which each child plays, as well as his or her age (2, 3, 5, 6, or 8).

1. Neither the 8-year-old nor Billy likes to sit on the couch and pretend to drive.

2. The child who loves to play with the wooden spoons is younger than Lily but older than at least two other children, one of whom likes to play with saucepans.

3. The 5-yeard-old and Tilly have outgrown playing with saucepans, and the youngest hasn't developed an interest in them yet.

4. The child who likes to play with the yardstick is 3 years older than the one who likes to play with the empty cardboard boxes, and neither child is either Willy or Billy.

DETAILED SOLUTION:

One with pans isn't 8, 6 (2), 5, or 2 (3); that one's 3. Oldest [8 (intro)] isn't with couch (1), spoons (2), or empty boxes (4); that one's with yardsticks. Five-year-old is with empty boxes (4). One with spoons isn't 2 (2); that one's 6. One with couch is 2. Lily's 8 (2). 5-year-old [empty boxes] isn't Tilly (3), Billy, or Willy (4); she's Milly. Tilly isn't 3 [pans] or 2 (3); she's 6. Billy isn't 2 [couch]; Willy is 2, and by elimination, Billy's 3.

In summary:

Billy, saucepans, 3
Lily, yardstick, 8
Milly, empty boxes, 5
Tilly, spoons, 6
Willy, couch, 2

Note: The variables in the summary are in alphabetical order. Had the ages been asked for as the first thing to find, then they would be listed either from oldest to youngest, or youngest to oldest.

SUBMISSIONS

To submit, send the completed puzzle along with the detailed solution to spencejk@prodigy.net with Submission as the subject. Be sure to spell check for typos, ect. before submission and make sure that the puzzle is solvable as submitted.

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