Beckman's puzzles focus on subjects about which people in a particular occupation, for example, already have knowledge. Her clients include businesses, contest organizers and individuals who seek personalized crosswords for special occasions. Beckman creates crosswords from words and clues she's given, or researches a subject to come up with the words and clues. Among her most favorite puzzles to build are those for weddings. One mother hired her to write three crosswords.
Some puzzles draw from different advertisers within a publication.
Beckman even did a puzzle in French which, she adds, she does not speak. Beckman has written puzzles while waiting at the doctor's office and on trains, planes, and buses. One time, on the spur of the moment while at a bar, she wrote a crossword about different beers. There's a lot of freedom with it. The toughest part though, isn't coming up with words and clues.