Minute cryptic

2 under

To get my half century in this second innings.

24 day streak, 52 under par.

(Yes, the fifty came up yesterday but I didn't notice)

Bringing up the 50th page too.

The stuff of dreams

Even par today. Managed 95% of guardian quick cryptic yesterday.

2 under. I'm even Stevens!

1 Attachment

Par

2 under

I was absolutely stumped and about to take a shot, when I had a a flash of inspiration.

Close one...

2 under. Guess based on synonym

-1

2+ I was even thinking along the right lines today

urgh.

par.

Hope it's ok if an occasional lurker here turns into an occasional poster?

Have been doing cryptics on and off for 30 years or so, and I'm grateful for the forum bringing Minute Cryptic to my attention. Without being * too * immodest, I've found the clues nice and gentle, and don't think I've needed a hint yet. So I was wondering if forum cruciverbalists might like to also use this thread to share wider crossword stuff - tips on solving, favourite setters, favourite clues etc?

A favourite clue of mine:

O (4, 6)

(I did UTFS and there are a couple of general crossword threads but they're pretty moribund)

“Open letter”?

Close but not quite. Part of why I like it is that it's self-referential to crossword clue mechanics (i.e what does 'O' sometimes clue for...)

Hole number? Bit punny, but I've seen worse.

Still not quite. Think O as a stand in for a zero

Love letter

That is beautiful.

But is there a definition. Perhaps it's use as a "hug" in a letter qualifies it as an and-lit?

Bingo! If memory serves, it was in a puzzle where a few of the answers followed that self-referential theme of crossword-mechanics, so I think with the theme, the 4,6 pattern and the clue, I was happy that it had met the requirements of having both a definition and the mechanics included (it's the 'letter' that can be the translation of 'love' in cryptic crosswords).

More importantly, it made me smile and want to tell someone about it then explain it to them, which is the best test I can think of for a great clue.

Ah yes, that's nice. I like those setters who are willing to bend the Ximenean rules. Guardian ones seem to do this from time to time but can't think of an example right now.

Quite enjoyed this from Saturday's Guardian. Got the last few letters, then the definition, then worked out the rest of the wordplay:
Clownish crack, then some dialogue with question from Manuel (12)

Ah, think I have it, it was only the synonym of crack that was tenuous enough to have me doubting the answer...

Would I be far off if I thought the Great Dictator would qualify?