While reading through my Google Analytics for NeverSmell.com (I am easily amused and fascinated by what keyword searches bring people to this site), I noticed the phrase “describing the smell of cigarette smoke” listed as a one-time keyword hit. The smell of cigarette smoke is one topic that has yet to come up here at NeverSmell.com. Let’s remedy that, shall we?

Upon seeing this keyword phrase, I turned to Alan’s trusty smell dictionary that he’s so lovingly prepared for me, but was surprised there was no entry for cigarette smoke. Alan was equally surprised. I mean, I used to smoke! (I quit as a wedding present to him). And back when I would smoke, I had countless people tell me that if I could smell cigarettes that there would be no way that I would smoke them. And I’ve got to say, as someone who was born without a sense of smell, those comments intrigued me just as much then as they still do now. And so,

1. What does cigarette smoke smell like anyway?

I’ve asked my husband for an entry on cigarette smoke; however, given that he’s busy working on his novel (and working two jobs) it might be awhile before I get that entry from him. But as soon as I do, I’ll be happy to share it with you all.

Creative Writing Assignment Alert!

In the meantime, if any of you olfies or creative writers (or even creative writing teachers) feel like giving yourself (or your students) a little creative stretching exercise, I’d love to read about how you all would describe the smell of cigarette smoke.

So, feel free to leave your description(s) below or if you are apprehensive about publishing something you’ve written, you can email me your description. I’d be happy to read and respond to any entries.