Cloverjo , to answer your question it does get easier but I have by no means arrived . I have most of the clue answers but they are v. difficult especially as no word lengths are given. I can tell you that the one letter you need to modify some answers is a 'D'. As kilgore trout has already said you need to get 1A/1D to get started.
I can inform you that 1D is the first clue of the 2nd column of clues. Hope that gets you on the way ! If you need more help let me know.