DIY COW Clue-Writing Contests

[anax]

Is it number 4? I can't follow the usual links so I'm guessing - ho hum. Anyway, I've decided I'm going to put each contest in its own thread from now on; easier than battling your way through several pages to find the latest. The new challenge is to find a Times-style cryptic clue for:

ASTONISHING

The abbreviations S/M/L (small/medium/large) ARE ALLOWED in these contests.
Please include a brief explanation of your clue, especially if the wordplay isn't immediately obvious, and add a note if your clue is specifically written for an Across/Down answer.

Have fun!

PS: I like the idea of "winner stays on". More later...
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Start every day with a smile and get it over with.

[penfold_61]

I'll set the ball rolling then with this mediocre effort:

Part of Birmingham is hoping to lose work - how bizarre! (11)

ASTON + IS + H(OP)ING

[anax]

[AngryVocab]

Incredible spy's car can bend the front end

ASTON + IS HINGed

[penfold_61]

It's hard to believe a near-fourteen pounder is got by angling where there's no front (11)

A+STON(E)+(F)ISHING

[AngryVocab]

[quote="penfold_61"]It's hard to believe a near-fourteen pounder is got by angling where there's no front (11)

Would "... by topless angling" [down clued] need to go into the Blue section? :lol:

[7dNigePun]

Stooge gets cut in half during execution of disappearing spectacular (11)


(v)a-sto(oge)-nishing

[7dNigePun]

With a nod at the latest results:


Gosh, isn't Ian awfully good ? Very much so (11)

;-)

[boxwood]

Jaw dropping model involved in a song'n dance around about 1 (11)


[model = T] [about = ISH] + [1=I] in (A SONG'N) *

[AngryVocab]

A squeal about relatively large spectacular

A + S (TON-ISH)ING
{squeal as to betray}

[twigusa]

My first post so go easy. Great site you have here.

How about

When mixed, hard gin is not as remarkable. (11)

(anagram of h gin is not as)

[anax]

A very warm welcome to you twigusa. Damn fine clue as well, I must say.
_________________
Start every day with a smile and get it over with.

[penfold_61]

Like Italian, put heart into serenade. Very impressive! (11)

AS + TONI + S[H]ING

[anax]

Difficult to choose this time round but the unexpected arrival of twigusa made my job much easier - I give first place to:

When mixed, hard gin is not as remarkable (11)

Super surface reading, great technique and 100% Times styling - you can't ask for more! Marvellous clue, twigusa, and thank you!

Second place goes to 7dNigePun with the entertaining:

Stooge gets cut in half during execution of disappearing spectacular (11)

Another fine example of maintaining a theme, never easy with a deceptively unfriendly challenge word.

And in third we have penfold_61 with:

It's hard to believe a near-fourteen pounder is got by angling where there's no front (11)

You have to read this at least twice before you reliase the structure and surface is very cleverly worked out.

As I said, difficult (at first) to choose this time as there were some very fine examples of technique. Thank you all - and may I now ask TWIGUSA to offer a new clue challenge? This can be given either as a reply to this thread or, preferably, a new thread altogether; or just send me a message and I'll get it set up.
_________________
Start every day with a smile and get it over with.