The Secret FAQs
This website is about my writing, and connecting with readers, other writers and publishing professionals, so I'll limit the main FAQ page to writing-related info, but that doesn't mean we can't have some fun along the way, nescafé?
IS TROY FORD YOUR REAL NAME?
Yes, one of them.
IF NOT WRITING, WHAT?
Gardener - Goatherd - Tarot Reader - Visual Artist - Bookbinder - Knife Sharpener - Monasticism
WHAT IS YOUR SIGN?
In the Chinese zodiac, I'm a Rooster.
In the western zodiac, my sun is in Leo, my moon in Pisces, and my rising sign is Taurus.
Also, astrology is real.*
WHAT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY?
I was conceived during the witching hour, Halloween night.
I'll let you do the math.
WHY ARE THERE NO PICTURES OF YOU?
There are, Google: "illuminati cat"
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED?
23,000 glorious years.
FAVORITE SWEAR WORD?
Jesus Christ.*
ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN, OR AN ATHEIST, OR WHAT?
No, no, and it's complicated.
WHAT DOES THE "W" IN YOUR TWITTER HANDLE STAND FOR?
VVilliam, also the cat's name.
FAVORITE MOVIES?
So many, but here are some recentish. Strange. I don't prefer horror, but these stand out.
SO YOU ARE A CAT BUT YOU HAVE A DOG?
I like cats, but I love dogs, this one in particular.
Meet Bubba.
SO WHAT *ARE* YOUR FAVORITE COOKIES?
I have been called out for not mentioning cookies, with whom I have a deep and abiding relationship.
So here's my list, with notes:
- Peanut Butter
Although I prefer crunchy peanut butter, these are better with creamy, esp. when they are slightly underdone in the middle. - Madeleines
These are best about three minutes after you pull them out of the oven - the brief rest/cooling period allows the outside to get crunchy while they are still warm inside. Also, don't bother with lemon zest as so many recipes call for. - Jam Thumbprints
The perfect mix of sweet/jam and plain cookie. - Sugar with sprinkles
The sprinkles do make a difference, giving them just the right dash of sweet and crunchy. - Snickerdoodles
The tang! More below. - Lotus Biscoff
I've made cheesecakes with a Biscoff crust instead of graham crackers. Also, in Amsterdam I had a Stroopwafel encrusted with nutella and crushed Biscoffs and just about lost my mind (see below.) - Lorna Doones
I find most shortbread too heavy - LDs are perfect. - White Chocolate Macadamia
I'm not one for white chocolate usually, but that unobtrusive sweet with that particular macadamia crunch is perfection. - Specialty's Chocolate Chip
Strange, I know, most people love chocolate chip but I find the chocolate chips pervade and overwhelm one of my favorite parts of cookies - that TANGY flavor that comes from baking soda, and which finds it's fullest expression with the cream of tartar in Snickerdoodles. HOWEVER. Specialty's in the Bay Area does a chocolate chip that's more of a chocolate chunk, and has big pockets of cookie that provide the perfect proportion of cookie to chocolate. D-vine. - Pogens Gingersnaps
My Gramma used to give me Pogens Gingersnaps and they were perfect - homemade just doesn't cut it, they've gotta be crisp, thin and delicate, not chewy. There are copycat recipes on the internet but I haven't tried, I feel like it would just be a disappointment even though Pogens are sort of an old-fashioned brand that's hard to find. - *Bonus* Stroopwafel
I was only going to mention my Top 10 but a Stroopwafel hot off the grill, again with that crunch that comes about three minutes later, well... *sneaks off to eat a bucket of stroopwafel in private*
p.s. Keeping a stash of "Emergency Cookies" in the freezer was a cute but ultimately delusional idea doomed within a day of its conception.
You are welcome to ask me other questions, both professional and personal, though I might have some questions for YOU.
Best wishes,
TWF