World, Writing, Wealth discussion
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Do you characters smoke?
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Ian
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Dec 05, 2017 12:33PM
I try not to lie. Exaggerate maybe 😀
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Has smoking become unfashionable with all the healthy lifestyle around?
I still see people smoke cigarettes all the time. And vaping is extremely popular here, too. Both of these despite all the evidence to the health risks. Of course, who am I to judge? I eat way more sweets than is good for me. Can't go a day without satisfying my chocolate cravings. ;)As for the original thread question: my future sci-fi characters do not. A couple of my medieval characters do, I think. (God, it's been so long since I last looked at that story that I'm not even sure.)
I ignore the issue in my novels and I object to seeing it in most TV shows and films because it is usually there for padding purposes. Do we need to waste nearly a minute of a 40 minute show for every character that lights up?At a personal level, I do not, a decision made easier when I elected to be an organic chemist. Who needs to have a source of ignition a few cm in front of one's face when handling highly volatile and combustible solvents?
Nik, did you mean to ask if our characters (as authors) smoke - or if we characters in the group smoke? :-)
Interesting question. In my books, no, at least not cigarettes. The one exception is in one of my future sci-fi cultures, where the aristocracy use a nargile in a highly ceremonial way.
I have to say that smoking has never actually crossed my mind when writing (sci fi and fantasy). I've never smoked myself. Maybe that's it.
Scout wrote: "Nik, did you mean to ask if our characters (as authors) smoke - or if we characters in the group smoke? :-)"I guess I'll leave the ambiguity unattended :)
To stop or enhance the innuendo - I quit some years ago, but consider re-starting if I ever make it to the age of 70-80, because smoking was kinda cool :)
Good on you, Nik. I still smoke occasionally, when the mood requires.
Some of them do. Well, in the novel about Paris it's not surprising :)
I didn't read the thread. I saw the question of do your characters smoke and my first thought is I really want a cigarette. I vape using 0 to 2 nicotine depending on my day and I admit vaping is as bad a habit as smoking except it smells nicer.And while it doesn't bother me in books, on the screen (video) when I see someone smoking, it makes the craving worse.
I do not smoke and never was a smoker. Never had the itch. For those of you that have characters smoke, is it natural to your character or is it something you had to consciously add?
My Tequila Vikings Series is set in the US Navy during the early 1990's. Back then, about 50% of the sailors smoked, and that is reflected in the series.My WIP is set during World War II in the Philippines, when virtually EVERYBODY smoked, and cigarettes were actually included in the rations.
As for myself, I'm a former smoker, having quit 13 years ago. Would love ot not have it be a thing but even my future WIPs are set in periods where smoking was such a prominent part of life. I don't see myself getting away from it anytime soon.
I see smoking as a choice for the most part. Would you rather smoke, or have your nerves come out in say constant pacing? Or is it healthier to smoke or grind your teeth to the nubs? People worry about cancers, but you could cause heart trouble if you grind your teeth too much, or have a stressful personality. Besides, we all have our crutches. Mine happens to be books.
I think historically smoking was part of our culture. From the 20s and women lighting up a fag to WWII it being part of what the soldiers received in their rations for free from the cigarette companies to it being a form of money in prisons. It was pervasive in the 60s, 70s and 80s with ashtrays on our desks in offices, smoking on planes and in bars and restaurants, to how many of us smoked in our cars with our children in the back seat.
