The Crossword Centre Clue-Writing Competition

CCCWC October competition voters’ comments
 
Clue no. 35: Nick, carve, cut and pare

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A clue to CAPTURE.
1 comment refers to this clue (from 1 competitor, 0 others)
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Comments on the competition
1.
There was much repetition of wordplay (apt in cure, curate+p; teacup+r; p,u and t in care, etc). I'm afraid I didn't find any of the large number of "apt in cure" clues appealing, though I enjoyed examples of all the others. Is it fair to downgrade anagram clues for lack of originality simply because many competitors think of the same anagram?

I found the concise clues the most satisfying ones this month. For longer clues, I aim to look for wit, ingenuity or topicality to justify the extra length; there were indeed topical clues relating, for example, to the Chilean miners, but I'm afraid I found the wording of those a bit clumsy. It's hard to combine the necessary precision in clue-writing with an interesting reference to a topical event.

The clue I enjoyed most was 30, with its nice allusion and precise wording; 4 points to that, with 3 points for 49, 2 points for 18 and 54, and 1 point each for 4, 21, 35, 53.