Congrats to an Unschool writer... with a few thoughts on starting a newsletter here. Monthly prompt. And more. Even a STUFFING recipe... or is it Dressing? What's in a word?
I lived in the US South for a long time, and they called it dressing no matter how they cooked it, I suppose because "stuffing" sounded vulgar to their ears.
Dec 1, 2023·edited Dec 1, 2023Liked by Alison Acheson
Stuffing person, here. Also, I'm annoyed on your behalf that writers -- of all people-- would expect a professional like yourself to work for free. There's a misperception that bestselling Substack authors have it made, when all but a handful of us are working hard for sums that would truly shock readers. Anyone who finds subscription fees objectionable either doesn't get the full-time work involved, OR should ask themselves if *they* work long hours for free. The alternative? Celebrities and AI, in which case, we're all stuffed. Oh, and I do notice when someone subscribes to many Substacks, and only pays the blokes, because that's a thing, sorry to say.
Just chiming in to second the suggestion to turn on payments immediately. Even if you only pick up a few friends or relatives as paying subscribers, there's no reason to wait. The conventional wisdom has been to wait until you have a sizable following, maybe 500 free subscribers, before paywalling anything. And certainly this comes with some anxiety, since you'll get little engagement on that content initially, when you only have a handful of readers with access to it. I don't know when the right time is to begin paywalling, but I think one might say that waiting too long conditions your readers to expect everything to be free. I have been learning as I go for almost two years, and I did not turn on payments until I had 900 readers and did not begin paywalling anything until I had 1,000 free subscribers. I now think that was a mistake. One man's opinion!
I am gradually moving into Winter mode, now that the Tyranny of the Yard has paused. I actually wrote a poem! And may share in the new year, as I want opinions about a certain part. I hope to get caught up on the many poetry classes!
As to the drop-offs, I suspect that it is the decimation of funds in most households, between grocery inflation - even being careful, my bill is up 40% - and interest rates, which is extreme. I hope the addition of Un-Students will improve your bottom line in the new year!
The "Tyranny of the Year"--it is a Thing indeed! (I do miss my veg garden, with all its berries, too, since down-sizing...)
Do email the poem to me when you are ready, and we can share in the workshop.
Yes, I expect you are right--about household budgets. Groceries alone... another reason to miss that garden! I AM grateful for those who are here, month after month, reading, commenting, sharing work... or quietly reading! Each makes a difference, and it's always good to hear from you!
I grew up in the south and always called it dressing, probably because it was never stuffed in the bird. You can add cooked turkey (or chicken) to the dressing if you want to make it more than just a side dish, but it my circles it was always cooked in a separate baking dish, and the Thanksgiving meal was often referred to as “turkey & dressing.” My grandmother’s recipe was always served in cut squares or rectangles, but many southerners do make it thicker and then scoop it out with a large spoon so that the end result is more like stuffing. It usually has a cornbread base in the south, but my grandmother used a mix of cornbread and “regular” (wheat) bread.
Joshua, I've always used both terms for fireflies/lightning bugs, although as a child I think we more often said lightning bugs and as an adult I rather prefer fireflies.
And, for the record, I would, of course, never add fireflies (or any insect, for that matter) to stuffing.🙃
Love the reminiscing here, and the background. The memories of hearing that phrase "turkey and dressing"--or the iteration of it here in western Canada. Cornbread sounds good!
Still waiting for a time when I see fireflies... and yes, I'll call them that. And only ever seen northern lights twice.
It's stuffing when you put it in the turkey, and dressing if you don't. It's that simple.
I lived in the US South for a long time, and they called it dressing no matter how they cooked it, I suppose because "stuffing" sounded vulgar to their ears.
Compare to the debate about whether it's "lightning bugs" or "fireflies." Although I'm not sure that is a regional dispute.
Star fish and sea stars...?
Hot dish. Always hot dish ;)
Ha :) Is it? Some of the people I've discussed this with grow REALLY excited about the debate! Funny.
Stuffing person, here. Also, I'm annoyed on your behalf that writers -- of all people-- would expect a professional like yourself to work for free. There's a misperception that bestselling Substack authors have it made, when all but a handful of us are working hard for sums that would truly shock readers. Anyone who finds subscription fees objectionable either doesn't get the full-time work involved, OR should ask themselves if *they* work long hours for free. The alternative? Celebrities and AI, in which case, we're all stuffed. Oh, and I do notice when someone subscribes to many Substacks, and only pays the blokes, because that's a thing, sorry to say.
Celebrities and AI -- yikes. A terrifying thought, Annette!
I always appreciate your perspective. Thank you for being here.
Another great post, Alison. I must get going on that Substack newsletter...
Looking forward to the read, Terry!
Just chiming in to second the suggestion to turn on payments immediately. Even if you only pick up a few friends or relatives as paying subscribers, there's no reason to wait. The conventional wisdom has been to wait until you have a sizable following, maybe 500 free subscribers, before paywalling anything. And certainly this comes with some anxiety, since you'll get little engagement on that content initially, when you only have a handful of readers with access to it. I don't know when the right time is to begin paywalling, but I think one might say that waiting too long conditions your readers to expect everything to be free. I have been learning as I go for almost two years, and I did not turn on payments until I had 900 readers and did not begin paywalling anything until I had 1,000 free subscribers. I now think that was a mistake. One man's opinion!
Thank you for sharing your experiences--it's not just me! We're here to learn from each other, yes.
I really enjoyed Ronaldo Acuna’s story. I felt myself tearing up at the end. The assignment was such a gift to father and son.
Yes! It's a rich piece.
I'm looking forward to Ronaldo setting up his newsletter.
Also, thanks for linking to our post! So much more to discuss, perhaps at another date...
And yes to that--
Speaking of food (stuffing) what’s the egg nog situation? 😂 ❤️
On my calendar for Dec. 19 this year...
If anyone wants to check out the recipe, they can find it on Jolene's AMAZING Time Travel Kitchen: https://timetravelkitchen.substack.com/p/time-travel-kitchen-cf7
I am gradually moving into Winter mode, now that the Tyranny of the Yard has paused. I actually wrote a poem! And may share in the new year, as I want opinions about a certain part. I hope to get caught up on the many poetry classes!
As to the drop-offs, I suspect that it is the decimation of funds in most households, between grocery inflation - even being careful, my bill is up 40% - and interest rates, which is extreme. I hope the addition of Un-Students will improve your bottom line in the new year!
The "Tyranny of the Year"--it is a Thing indeed! (I do miss my veg garden, with all its berries, too, since down-sizing...)
Do email the poem to me when you are ready, and we can share in the workshop.
Yes, I expect you are right--about household budgets. Groceries alone... another reason to miss that garden! I AM grateful for those who are here, month after month, reading, commenting, sharing work... or quietly reading! Each makes a difference, and it's always good to hear from you!
I grew up in the south and always called it dressing, probably because it was never stuffed in the bird. You can add cooked turkey (or chicken) to the dressing if you want to make it more than just a side dish, but it my circles it was always cooked in a separate baking dish, and the Thanksgiving meal was often referred to as “turkey & dressing.” My grandmother’s recipe was always served in cut squares or rectangles, but many southerners do make it thicker and then scoop it out with a large spoon so that the end result is more like stuffing. It usually has a cornbread base in the south, but my grandmother used a mix of cornbread and “regular” (wheat) bread.
Joshua, I've always used both terms for fireflies/lightning bugs, although as a child I think we more often said lightning bugs and as an adult I rather prefer fireflies.
And, for the record, I would, of course, never add fireflies (or any insect, for that matter) to stuffing.🙃
Yes... too much protein :)
Love the reminiscing here, and the background. The memories of hearing that phrase "turkey and dressing"--or the iteration of it here in western Canada. Cornbread sounds good!
Still waiting for a time when I see fireflies... and yes, I'll call them that. And only ever seen northern lights twice.
Thank you for this sharing!