Dear Monks
I have a design and algorithm problem. I am looking for efficient ways to solve this problem which is a part of game programming.

Given the word: I would like to find another words which try to maximize fit above or below the given word so that all the words created by columns also constitute 2 letter words.

ex.

  PAN
 RATES

Above is just an example when the word PAN given and one of the 'below' answer is 'RATES' ( I have a set of 2 letter words which includes PA, AT,NE,TO,IN,AN etc..)

Restrictions can be imposed as a set of rules for finding the answer. Rules could be like ..
1. No repeat letters
2. Construct the answers only from specific letters
3. More letters are better etc.

'Above' and 'Below are just one of the 'patterns'. Other could be like this

 
 APE
 RATE
 ENS

Where RAT is a word which can come under 'Between' pattern, given the words 'APE' and 'ENS' as where they are.

If this is not the right place to post let me know. Also in that case, I think that we should start 'design and algorithm' section here, which can definitely steer coding in the right direction. Internet links to other places for such discussion would be helpful too.

Desiging
an
artist