#witchhazelFAQ

[witch-hazels-musings]

writing blog 101

First things first, what do you want to write about! You can build your writing blog around anything and everything - it’s fun to decorate your blog around your subject, so take your time!

Below are a few components of a writing blog! Each category can be done on one post or multiple (it just depends on your style!) 

📌Post Etiquette 

Pinned Post, what should be on it?

A Hello/Welcome

Short Bio

Fandom(s) (genshin impact, re-zero, demon slayer, etc) 

Rules / Requests

Anthology/Master list (to be made later)

Outside links (Kofi, A03, Twitter etc.) 

Extra: images / banners / emotes!

Rules

Make your rules clear and to the point (tell people what you will write and anything outside of that you won’t)

Characters you will / wont write for 

Genres (fluff/angst/etc)

SWF/NSF-W focus

what topics you will not write for -> these should be very specific, the more clear you make it the better readers will know what is outside of your comfort zone 

If you get a request you don’t like, or can’t write, answer it and let them know! Sometimes we get excited and forget to check something before sending it in. Sometimes we don’t think our request is uncomfortable - everyone is different (it’s okay to let people know you aren’t open to writing this or that - you show them respect and they will show it back to you 🙌)

Anthology/Master List

Create this early! You want a place to keep all the works you create so people can find them! (note that tumblr limits hyperlinks on a single post to 100*)

Organization is different per person, i organize mine by: Genre, Series, Character/region/place 

AND -> link to it on all your works to increase traffic

helpful link ->creating an anthology/master list

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How to increase interactions 

talk with your followers 

run events on your page (make sure those rules are clear and posted - I recommend that you post the rules to every answered event ask so people can find it easier) 

react to replies 

have fun & be kind

Note: you might not be able to answer every ask you get, take your time, let people know if you need a minute and turn off asks if you need to!

How to increase notes / reblogs

Self-reblog your works

📌 how reblogs work

Make sure your tags are consistent 

post regularly (at least once a day, post something!) 

Note that new blogs may take a few days to show up on tags - your stuff is out there, Tumblr just wants to make sure you aren’t a bot*

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Take breaks!! // Have fun!! 

I hope this helps and I wish you luck in whatever you decide!

[witch-hazels-musings]

Out of curiosity, who are the top 5 genshin characters you simp for the most? Everyone is so fine I can't pick just one 😩

I really only simp for Diluc, but I like several characters quite a bit so, anyway here's my ranking:

1. Diluc | 2. Albedo | 3. Zhongli | 4. Ganyu (she's very wholesome) | 5. Yae / Thoma

I'm pretty sure I'll like Ayato but we don't know much about him so I'm indifferent right now -- I typically like one person from things pretty intensely so I'm not surprised I latched onto Diluc, he hits all my boxes (also he's gorgeous)

[witch-hazels-musings]

Asktober is a thing?

Oh oh I have some! Genshin Impact Edition!

Your first 5 star

Your latest 5 star

Your first C6 character

Your favourite 4 star

And your favourite NPC!

First five star:

Lastest five star:

First C6:

Favorite four star:

Favorite NPC:

Uuuh, I like Lawrence and Glory

[witch-hazels-musings]

Is there a reason you don’t write about pregnancy and siblings and stuff or do you just not like to? Sorry if this is a weird question and you don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to. I was just wondering

Heyo! I much prefer friendship, angst, and romantic relationship fics so those are the ones I lean toward!

sibling dynamics are unique and change depending on the characteristics of the sibling (far more complicated to write about)

as I won't be having my own children (for many reasons), I don't write or consume pregnancy / children fics

The way I write requires me to empathize with the reader, to put myself in their shoes and experience what they do. So, if I can't or feel uncomfortable doing that, I can't write the fic

(also this isn't meant to make anyone sad, I am very happy with my life and accept what has been given to me)

[witch-hazels-musings]

Sorry if this is so insensitive to ask, but at this point I'm desperate.

How do you write so well?

I've been writing for over a decade. I enjoy writing sometimes, but I've been nonstop comparing myself to everyone else for a while now, and it's destroyed my motivation to write. And a part of me has always wanted to be an author.

Do you have any tips on ways to improve my writing?

I do a lot of research for both my stories and how to construct my writing. You're really good at hitting both quality and quantity in your writing, while I feel like it's incredibly difficult for me to even do one or the other most of the time. I don't want to half-ass my work, but it's very easy for me to get...burnt out, iykwim.

Sorry for the ramble, really. I just don't know what to do anymore :')

ah! -- well bless you - I hope you can find yourself to love the works you do and know that only you could ever write the stories that are in your head. Each authors experiences bring them to where they are right now and help tell, shape that story!

I feel I may slip into a lecture - this is my advice and thoughts / processes only! (here we go) -- got a bit long, below the cut

I write with emotion in mind -> sensations of the body, thoughts in the mind, feelings in the heart (living creatures are naturally empathetic - we relate to emotions pretty easily so it’s a great way to get readers to connect with the action / character / story) 

I avoid just saying what the character is doing over and over again - he did, then did, then followed with. -> So, if I notice i’m doing that a lot I’ll go back in and add flourishes to the sentence (descriptions, actions, emotions, thoughts of the character) 

Example: 

1. He sat on the bed, then reached for the lamp that sat on the nightstand. It turned off and made the room dark. He stood up to walk toward the window to gaze outside, but the rain made it hard to see (staccato, choppy)  

2. He sat on the bed, the blankets which should be neatly placed under him were a disheveled mess, much like his current state of mind. The lamp on the table made his eyes squint and, in an effort to shield his face from the light, he turned it off. With a heavy sigh, he lifted his worn body from the bed. It creaked and he wondered if it was from his bones or the ancient frame that held the mattress. His feet moved forward, his mind distracted, until he came to the window but as he looked out across the landscape it was shrouded in a murky grey and obscured by the rain that fell across the glass.

You may notice I also avoid repeating certain words in the same paragraph - if I used the word ‘window’ I don’t want to use that word again, so instead I describe the qualities or ingredients of a window (like an alchemist who puts everything out on the table and then points at what they want) 

I pick and choose the actions to focus on - and i try really hard to make sure that whatever I’m describing it accurate AND CONSISTENT -> if you are going to describe a hand placement, make sure that hand placement is considered with what else is going on (continuity is important) 

read articles - search things like: How to write a good *x* seen, how to describe facial expressions, ways to say said (lol) -- researching and looking at examples is how we learn more! If you aren’t doing this every once in a while, you’re missing out**

when I edit works -> I read it slowly top to bottom (some like to read it bottom to top, so whichever) and i’ll usually speak it out-loud to make sure the phrases sound good and clear - i read all my works (and if i’m exhausted, I put it off till later and come back with fresh eyes) 

I based my writing off my love for a specific author because i loved the way his sentences were designed (Edgar Rice Burroughs) -- so i’d say if you love an author, analyze how they write. break it down, see if you can recreate something similar as practice

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i’d also say - practice practice - write something small EVERY DAY -- that’s why I created Teyvat Memories, it’s helped me continue to polish my works over and over again

Again, these are just thoughts that i have after analyzing my works. everyone may be different and every author is different - but these are the rules I follow 

(( OH OH - gosh, also get Grammarly on your phone/computer - like it’s my saving grace because even when I edit i’ll miss something awful lol ))

idk if this helps but here you go lol! don’t give up!! if you love to write, keep GOING - and on that day that you write something and it makes you cry, cheer, shot with excitement, I  hope you will share your joy with me <3 <3 

[witch-hazels-musings]

Hey Hazel, 🎱 anon here.

Just wanted to let you know that we all support you, and that we love your stories.

Also, I'm curious. What character outside of Genshin is your husbando?

afianwef thank yuuuu! i’m very glad to hear that <3 

mmmm okay so i have a few fav characters outside of Genshin Impact, i’ll put them below the cut because pictures lol 

Bell - Danmachi

this fluffy and incredible cinnamon roll is not only a cutie patootie, but he’s also incredibly capable and determined to make a difference. I want to hold him close -- not to mention he’s so shy i just (fff) >< 

Lio Fotia - Promare

do not get me started on this boy I swear to god. I watched Promare a few years ago and wowow Lio captured my heart. His fight for his people and willingness to sacrifice everything to save those he doesn’t even know but loves nevertheless - muah, flawless 100/10 (i also have a figure of him)

Rengoku - Demon Slayer

precious sunflower, glorious starlight, delicious hotpot. I love so much about this character in a very wholesome way, the vibrant and blazing determination he wields while also being incredibly, unbelievably kind ... just, he deserves the world

Arthur Morgan - Red Dead Redemption 2

This rugged man stole my heart and like seven months of my life. I have never cried so hard in my life; sweet do-gooder cowboy got me in a serious yeehaw 

Artem Wing - Tears of Themis

uuuuugh, this man. This hard-working and relationship-stunted man of my DREAMs is just too much for my heart. Every time he tries his absolute best to be romantic or learn how to woo the lady, just slap me in the face, but don’t because he’d be so sad <3

Reno - FF7

i don’t have a good answer, this is purely a bad decision really  

[witch-hazels-musings]

Not a request but a question :^

How can I right the characters better? Like how would I know how they talk, act, etc.? I’ve been getting urges of writing but idk any first steps or like that 😭🤷‍♀️ -🗿anon

Hey! Good question ☺️

So, every character (not just genshin characters) has a wiki page at this point - those are great reference sites for you to learn more about their history and, especially for Genshin, their voice lines. Here are some tips:

Voice lines

Listen to the way their inflection changes as they speak (do they go up, or down in tone / volume)

Listen to the sentence structure, word choice, and detail in their voice lines

Behavior

Watch their idle animations

Watch how they move in cut scenes: get out a pencil and paper and write down what they do, how they move, gestures, expressions - take data and look for common behavioral trends

93% of all communication is body language, you want people to know it's the right character without hearing or seeing their voice? - pepper in body language

Values/Traits

What does each character value or hold In high regard - I've mentioned this before, but we are all driven to act and respond to things based on our values

Example: Diluc is a gentleman = hold door, bow, limited physical contact, kiss fingers, escort home

Example: Childe is Ambitious = make decisions to get what he wants and may not think about them fully, will go and go until he achieves something, try new things often

Those are just a few things which might help you, the most important thing is to include body language into your works. Everyone's, dialogue can be helpful, but I can tell an excellent story without the characters saying a single thing to each other because body language is so powerful.

[witch-hazels-musings]

Um! Apologies if you get these types of requests often, but what are some tips for when you're just starting out genshin? So many of my friends are really into it, and I've been wanting to play for a while so I can understand what they're talking about when they speak about it. All the talk about Inazuma (hoping I spelt that right) is making it really, really tempting, but I'm terrified of making mistakes right at the beginning because I don't know what I'm doing! I don't know anything about building certain characters to fit into certain roles, and I know there can be a lot of grinding for materials to level up characters.

I'm going to watch all the beginners tips videos I can find, but I want to ask directly here since I feel it'll be more useful to hear directly from as many players as possible, since I imagine everyone's experience will be different.

Also! I believe the answer is yes, but if you have an account on one device, it's easy to log into that same account on another device, right? Asking because I'm getting a new phone at the end of the year and don't want to lose all my progress if I do start soon!

- 🥀

(Hope you don't mind I become an anon here! I think I'll be asking a lot of questions in future, and even if I don't, I'd like to keep you updated on my experiences because the community you've built seems so safe and supportive. Your writing is wonderful and you seem to speak so genuine whenever you answer asks, so I hope you know that you deserve every bit of the praise you receive!)

hey there! I'm excited to hear about your travels into Genshin Impact. It is a super fun game and can help you connect with people you never thought you'd connect with

There is a lot I didn't know about Genshin when I first started either and I don't think there is any right or wrong way to play - the most important part is having fun :)

We've had many people ask some great questions like this in the past, so i'm going to link a few of those as well as other players' tips below!

Tips for Beginnings by @jaggedsi

Beginner Support by @dourpeep

Beginner Tips by @shima-draws

Pity System by @dourpeep

Weapons (leveling & enhancing) by me

Tips on some boss fights by me

Damage output & Boss Survival by me

Artifact Support by me

These are just some ideas and thoughts about starting off! -- feel free to reach out and chat whenever you'd like (We love talking about genshin here)

Also - if you can find a good genshin discord server, you can make some friends who might be able to help you out for those co-op and teapot specific missions :)

(thank you for the extra kindness at the bottom of your ask! Welcome to the team <3)

[witch-hazels-musings]

Do you have any songs that make you think of Diluc? Because I keep thinking of him while listening to music and wondered if you had any to recommend.

no one has ever asked me this! but YESSS, I do - i have a couple songs that make me think of a few of the characters (not many though) - i sing these often

Diluc - Can't Help Falling in Love (acapella), Haste Make - Mandolin Orange

Childe - Gravity - Sara Bareilles (i'm singing this right now actually lol), Landfill - Daughter

Zhongli - A Thousand Years - Christina Perri, Saro - The Westerlies

Kaeya - Elise - the greeting committee, Arms - Christina Perri

Albedo - Featherstone - The Paper Kites, Pure Imagination - Flannel Graph

Xiao - Through the Eyes of a Child - AURORA

[witch-hazels-musings]

Hi Hazel! What’s your favorite color? (The more specific the better!!) Just a fun little question I like to ask!

probably these two colors -- these two glisten brightly under the sun, they reflect a richness that soothes my weariness and refreshes me, they are the color of the most beautiful rivers and richest forests. they are what I look for when I explore the world and what brings me refuge in this difficult life 

[witch-hazels-musings]

Hi Hazel! I love all of your stories, they bring such joy to my days and are an absolute pleasure to read, keep up the absolutely amazing work (but remember to take care of yourself too)! I was wondering if you would consider writing more of your "Seeing you get hit" oneshots with other characters? I have so many thoughts running through my head for a Cyno one after his teaser the other day 😍

helloo - thank you for the kind words  (b ᵔ▽ᵔ)b i’m glad you like my stories!! they make me happy tooo 

unfortunately, I won’t be expanding the ‘seeing you get hit series’ that one is completed, especially since I don’t plan on adding more characters to my character list at this time. the only one i’ve considered is Alhaitham or Tighnari (just because he sounds fun to write for) -- but no real progress has been made to write for either (especially since I don’t play the game much anymore) 

[witch-hazels-musings]

Can you give us your top 5 of who you simp for? Like we know the #1 is diluc xD bit who are next? And how about 2 tops? One with girl and other with boys.

If you feel uncomfortable answering this just ignore it. And sorry if I did make uncomfortable.

I'm just curious xD

Hellooo! I have many favs (even if, yes, Diluc is my one and only lol) -- aiweofnw okay okay here we go -- I also only really simp for Ganyu out of the ladies, barbs and sucrose are very wholesome 

Diluc | Ganyu 

Albedo | Barbara

Zhongli | Sucrose

Thoma 

Xiao 

(this was a bit harder than I thought because I really only have a small handful of characters I enjoy - for my tops these are the highest contenders, though if this were ‘writing preferences’ they’d be a bit different) 

[witch-hazels-musings]

Bestie, since Mihoyo revealed Arataki Itto, would you add him to the characters you write for? •3• or do you usually wait for people to request for that character before writing fics for that character? :o

Hi good question!

I write for characters that are usually in the game, or at least have had some in game interactions with them.

Characterization is really important to me, I want to be true to the character and how they would act/behave

So until then, he won't be added to my list 🙏

[witch-hazels-musings]

I am 16-17 so usually I read most of your posts, except the NSFW, is that ok? I love your work, it is so well written and it truly brightens my day.

Yes! That's fine I write fluff and SFW posts for all audiences. Mature themes might slip in here and there but nothing NSFW of course, those are 18+ only (^～^;)ゞ

I'm glad you like my stuff!! I'm working on something today but it's slow because there is so much noise in my writing room >< (I hope you like it!)

[witch-hazels-musings]

Hi! Before I followed I wanted to ask if you’re comfortable with minors interacting with you/your blog? I didn’t see anything about it on your pinned/links I know you write some NSFW things but that’s not stuff I’d be reading 😅 I wanted to ask first though

hi! i’m pretty comfortable with most people chatting with me. As long as you respect me, those who follow me, and ensure you offer no hate or ill-will toward others on my behalf - I tailor what comes through my asks for this specific reason

i am most comfortable talking with people 18+, however, I know a few 16-17 year olds who have shown me no concerns, as all (or most) of my interactions will be professional - i do not follow underage blogs, those marked as ‘minor,’ or those without ages (unless I know some other way your age) no matter how much you ask me

while I want you to be safe, I also want me to be safe as I am older than most of you and I have to be respectful and considerate of all my interactions in this space

i ask those not 18+, again, to block : hazels 18+ and do not interact with my nsfw posts 

[witch-hazels-musings]

Hey Hazel! If it's not too personal of a question, do you have an s/o? I was wondering if they knew about your blog or your simping for diluc :D if you don't wanna answer, feel free to delete this please!! Wouldnt want to make u uncomfy

Hi! Not to personal --

I do have a partner, and he doesn't mind in the slightest. I don't talk a lot about Genshin around him though, nor does he read what I post; still, it's apparent who I simp for since I have merch of Diluc and all my electronics have his face on it ( I also have very good friends I've made through this blog I can simp with and we feed each other's obsessions well )

My partner has not a single jealous bone in his body - he's very chill, incredibly patient, just vibin