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The Cigarette Thing
 By Cathy Hall
There are a lot of great things
about writing: the working in my pj’s,
the thinking up crazy columns, the
watching TV for “research” purposes,
and the playing of video games while
pretending to write. But I wasn’t
prepared for the cigarette thing.
When I was young, about twentysomething,
I enjoyed an occasional
smoke. It generally lasted all day long.
While I found this pursuit pleasurable,
the future Mr. Hall did not. So I
promised that the moment I became
pregnant with our firstborn child, I would quit smoking forever.
It seemed like a good idea at the
time. And like whatever that girl’s name
was in Rumplestiltskin, the day came
when I had to pay my debt. When the
stick turned blue, I threw away the
smokes.
Fast forward to our fifty-something
writer, sitting in front of the computer,
all alone. I write, write, write and then
I think a little. Sometimes, I think a lot.
And here’s where the whole cigarette
thing comes in, trying to kick down my subconscious door.
See, all that sitting and thinking
just begs for a cigarette. There is
nothing like a smoke to get the old
brain cells clicking. At least, that’s the
way I remember it. Back in my radio
copywriting days, I found smoking
to be quite conducive to formulating
stupendous thought waves. Not to
mention that it’s the perfect antidote
to looking cool and collected when
you’re staring into space, not a single
idea rattling around in your empty head.
So, it’s no mystery why I’m suddenly
craving cigs.
Still, a promise is a promise is a
promise. So on I toil, fighting the urge
to light up. Sure, I know I’m healthier.
And probably wealthier, too.
But here’s the thing. Sometimes,
I lean back in my chair and wonder if
I could have been the next Hemingway,
or the reincarnation of Margaret
Mitchell, or maybe even the new Erma
Bombeck! If only I had just one,
lousy cigarette.
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Cathy Hall is a freelance
writer who loves to get
published. Read her blog at
cathychall.blogspot.com
if you want to find out
where she meets Fame and
Fortune along the way.
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