My first 5 minute free write.
I've been doing a crazy amount of writing lately here on Steemit.
Post after post, comment after comment, working to put together well thought out pieces. I've pored over the language, thought about the story, made sure all the dots connected. So, when I discovered this 5 minute free writing challenge hosted by @mariannewest I really wanted to give it a try. I wanted to take a moment from all my careful considerations, and just try to write.
The Most Dangerous Writing App is where I decided to give it a try. If you're not familiar with it, it's a website for typing where if you stop writing for more than I think 3 or 4 seconds, it deletes everything you've written. So, you can't cheat on a challenge like this. And, let me tell you, when you begin to try those first words there is a bit of panic as you realize that if you write something awesome, but can't keep it up, it all goes bye-bye.
So, without further ado...today's focus was: cigarettes
Cigarettes to me are a thing of fashion.
The way I see people holding them, the way they act with them. The reason why people smoke them. Maybe that's just because of what I do for a living, photography.
The smell, odor, aroma, however you want to describe it, is distinct, and cannot be mistaken for anything else.
It's pungent, aromatic, filled with endless memories of people who have held them before. Those who light up seem to be another domino in a long line reaching far back into time.
Why do people smoke? I wonder this to myself all the time. But, I also wonder why people get into fashion.
I don't think cigarettes are for the average person. The way that people pick them up, take them from the pack, light them, smoke them, share them. Each part of smoking a ritual to be followed. No many people follow rituals anymore, at least not conciously.
Cigarettes contain things that to some are life, and to others death. When a smoker lights, they feel a bit of life. What goes into their lungs is another story, but who am I to judge, unless they're blowing that smoke my way.
Many have memories of their youth. A friend, a loved one, someone they looked up to, lighting, puffing, ashing. I've read that's what gets most poeple started. That memory. Because memories are powerful things, and when you associate them, they can become this intractable habit that can take you from life to death.
I didn't get to finish the thought because I ran through the time, but I think it's a pretty solid first piece.
I'd love to hear what y'all think about it :) I think I'm going to continue this challenge as my morning warm up when I first get on Steemit in the morning. For me, this place isn't just a hobby, it's becoming a way of life. Go creatives!
cigarettes injurious to our health
They most definitely are.
This was a great first freewrite! I feel like when I sit down to write one, I typically have an idea of how I want it to go...but then I just let it happen and it feels so good in my soul!
Yeah, there was this weird moment where I had an idea of what I wanted to write, but what was actually being typed took me in a different direction. And with that app, you don't have any time to think about it. I was like, 'ooohhhh crap, where's this going?' lol
Haha and there's no time to panic!
Exactly, lol. Gotta take a deep breath and just flow with it. Definitely a good metaphor for what I need to do in life in general :)
I have aunties and cousins who smoke. Their make up and clothes always look perfect and they sit there smoking and it looks so appealing. I’ve tried to bum cigarettes from them throughout the years because it looks so yummy.
Every single time it hurts my throat like hell and I can’t take a second puff.
Your freewrite brought this thought for me. Glad you joined us.
Aww, glad to bring up some good memories for you :) Yeah, that's how most people get into smoking, because of a close family member and some strong memories. But, they aren't yummy, are they...? lol
Man, every time I read your posts the first thing I think is, wow how impressive is your writing...
I could never do what you did with the free write. I think too much and too slow to write down that fast hahah. You have amazing potential here at steemit. Happy day to you my friend!
Thank you for those amazing words. I've been in this crazy vacuum where it seems no one sees my work, or cares about what I'm doing. A void that's lasted close to a decade... But as soon as I stepped into Steemit, my world began to change. I feel like I'm able to share, and that people see my words, and care. I have hope again :)
This is a great freewrite. You really put together a lot of thoughts in one cohesive writing. Oddly enough, as much as I loathe smoking cigarettes and hate to even be near it, I do find the photography of smoke to be fascinating. I like how you captured the meaning of the rituals behind it too.
Also, I am here helping @mariannewest with freewrites today:
Here is Prompt 105
Thanks for writing with us!
@byn
Thanks for stopping by @byn and thanks for your kind words. Yeah, smoking really is ritualistic. Not a cigarette smoker myself (I was smoking weed in the pics, hehe) but the first time I watched someone dab I was struck by the very particular, very measured movements the person took.
And, already wrote about 'dem elephants ;)
So glad that you are writing with us!! And I think you are right. When we started smoking as teens, it was to look grown up and sophisticated. A friend once told me that he thinks that he looks sexy with a cigarette -advertising worked :)
Glad that my days of smoking are long gone.
Also like the ritual part - very insightful
Mad Men all the way, lol. The desire to be perceived a certain way by people who we want to like us, it's definitely a powerful motivator. Glad to hear you escaped from that beast. I've heard it's a hard fight.