One of the hardest parts of cryptic writing (that I’m still very much working on) is finding the line between complexity and elegance. My earliest puzzles always used synonyms and often used multiple steps; now I’m just focused on what indicators and words will best serve the surface. Sometimes that’ll make a clue “easier” than I might like (like 1D); otherwise it might get too “hard” (as in 5A), but ultimately I just want to find something in these awful times that momentarily delights. Here’s hoping this latest puzzle does it for you; as always, check it out at Crosshare in app or .puz, or download it below as a PDF! Thanks to skaldskaparmal for the test!
The Crossword Scholar 