Hello everyone, welcome. I felt like it was time for me to make a post about myself because I suck at interacting on this site and just lurk around. I'm mainly using this as a writing resource but will post other things from time to time.
I'm new to writing, I've only taken a creative writing class in high school and well, that was over a decade now. I would say I've always been a storyteller, growing up I loved drawing and wanted to be an animator. I was good but not that good and went a different route ✨theatre production.✨
During art school, it really killed my creativity and I stopped making my own art. Now I'm happy with my career as a scenic painter and wanting to find a new creative outlet. I've lost most of my drawing skills, I'm too lazy to try and build it back.
Something clicked, I just started writing characters, world building and I'm in the early stages a 1st draft! I'm proud, it is further than I've ever gone with any story I've created.
Hopefully, I'll have an original fantasy WIP intro before the end of the year.
Strolled- Walked at a steady, leisurely pace.
Moved - Simply walked from one place to another.
Went - A basic term to say walked.
Wandered - Walked without a specific destination.
Happy:
Skipped - Walked with a light, bouncing step, often out of joy.
Bounced - Walked with energetic, lively steps.
Sashayed - Walked with a confident, cheerful flair.
Pranced - Walked in an exaggeratedly happy or playful manner.
Danced - Walked with movements full of joy or rhythm.
Angry:
Stomped - Walked with heavy, forceful steps, showing frustration or anger.
Marched - Walked with purpose and determination, often angrily.
Stormed - Walked quickly and angrily, often leaving a situation (stormed out).
Trudged - Walked heavily, with anger or frustration weighing down the steps.
Charged - Walked aggressively, moving quickly and with force.
Sad:
Shuffled - Walked slowly, dragging the feet, often indicating sadness or exhaustion.
Plodded - Walked with heavy, slow steps, as if burdened by sorrow.
Trudged - Walked slowly and with effort, weighed down
Slumped - Walked with a hunched posture, showing sadness or defeat.
Dragged - Walked with effort, as if every step was a struggle.
Surprised:
Froze - Stopped mid-step in reaction to shock or surprise.
Stumbled - Walked clumsily due to being caught off guard.
Jumped - Took a quick, startled step.
Skipped a step - Momentarily hesitated in walking due to surprise.
Backpedaled - Walked backward quickly, often in shock or surprise.
Fearful/anxious:
Crept - Walked slowly and carefully, trying to avoid being noticed.
Tiptoed - Walked quietly on the balls of the feet, trying not to make noise.
Slunk - Walked with a low, cautious posture, trying to remain hidden.
Hesitated - Took a few tentative steps, unsure or fearful.
Paced - Walked back and forth, often in thought or anxiety.
Shy:
Shuffled - Walked slowly, with small, unsure steps.
Hesitated - Paused slightly before walking, unsure or nervous.
Slipped - Moved quietly and quickly to avoid attention.
Hovered - Stayed near a spot, hesitant to walk forward.
Inched - Walked very slowly, as if unsure or reluctant.
Thoughtful:
Wandered - Walked without a specific destination, lost in thought.
Paced - Walked back and forth while thinking deeply.
Strolled - Walked slowly, enjoying the time to reflect.
Meandered - Walked aimlessly, with no rush, often in contemplation.
Paused - Stopped briefly during a walk, considering something.
Commanding:
Marched - Walked with purpose and authority.
Strutted - Walked with confidence and a sense of power.
Advanced - Walked forward with a deliberate, commanding stride.
Charged -Walked quickly and forcefully toward a goal.
Led - Walked at the front, guiding others behind them.
“They felt sick.” — Vague.
“They threw up.” — Sometimes, but not always.
Illness isn’t a switch you flip. Fever and nausea creep, spike, ebb, lie to you, then come back worse. They live in the body first, and that’s where your writing should live too.
Below, I've written a lil' cheat sheet for you. Reblog so you can come back later.
THE BODY LANGUAGE OF FEVER & NAUSEA
Skin & Temperature
Skin alternates between clammy and burning
Deep internal warmth
Sudden chills while sweating
Clothes feel wrong, either too heavy, too tight, too warm, not warm enough, etc.
Goosebumps even in a warm room
Face flushed, ears hot, neck damp
Head & Senses
Head feels pressurized or stuffed with cotton
Eyes ache when moving
Nose stuffed (on either one side, or both)
Ears ringing or deaf on one side
Lights are too bright/sharp
Sounds blur together
Food smells gross
Room feels tilted or surreal
Focus slips mid-thought
Food/water has an aftertaste
Stomach & Core
Nausea that comes in waves
Swallowing feels deliberate, effortful
Dry swallowing, dry throat—dry everything
Saliva thickens or pools suddenly
Abdomen tightens
Hunger exists but is nauseating at the same time
Body curls inward without thinking
Mouth & Throat
Tongue feels coated
Taste turns metallic, bitter, or flat
Lips dry; licking them doesn’t help
Gag reflex hair-trigger sensitive
Breathing through the mouth makes it worse
Movement & Posture
Barely any movement
Sitting becomes slouching, then curling
Standing too fast triggers instant nausea/dizziness
Hands brace on thighs, counters, walls
Feet shuffle; balance checked constantly
Body seeks cold surfaces or firm pressure
Voice & Speech
Voice dulls or drops in volume (due to plugged nose and raspy throat)
Words come slower
Sentences trail off unfinished
Irritation spikes easily (even if people are being nice)
Delayed responses
Apologies come out automatically (“Sorry. Sorry.”)
NOT ALL “SICK” FEELS THE SAME
Fever (infection-based):
Comes with chills + heat
Mental fog, slowed reaction time
Body aches feel deep, joint-based
Thirst increases, appetite drops
Sleep is restless, sweaty, unrefreshing
Colds / Flu:
More head pressure, sinus heaviness
Heavy cough, sore throat
Heavy fatigue
Fever may be mild or absent (especially colds)
Chronic Illness Flares:
Pain is familiar but still intense
Less panic, more resigned
Symptoms stack (fatigue + nausea + pain)
Character may ration movement and speech
Recovery expectations are lower
Menstrual Cramps:
Pain pulses rhythmically
Heat helps
Nausea tied to motion and smell
Sensitive emotions (more prone to snapping, saying things they regret)
Body feels heavy
Stress-Induced Nausea:
No fever, no chills
Jaw tension, shallow breathing
Nausea spikes during stillness
Relief when distracted or moving
These differences matter. They change how a character reacts, not just how they feel.
So yeah, hope that helps. You don't need vomiting on the page every time. Sometimes being sick is feeling off-key, or sometimes it's quiet recovery. It varies. The symptoms are one part of your story, the rest is up to characterization and plot. Why is illness relevant to your story? Why is this character sick, and how is it different from another character? You can have a lot of fun with this.
Written by a human with a headache and too much experience lying very still, hoping it passes. If you liked this post, buy me a coffee... or cough medicine. 😔
Notes from a concerned medical professional who reads too much hurt/comfort:
(These are all things I've seen in Hazbin/Helluva fanfics)
(Tw: for injury, illness, gore, drug use, overdose, a lot of other things)
You cannot drug someone to sleep by overdosing them on melatonin. It will not work
Don't submerge an open wound or stitches in a bathtub/pool/etc it will introduce bacteria to the wound (taking a shower is usually fine, just skip the romantic bath)
On that note, stitches do not immediately stop a wound from bleeding and should not be used to solve every problem (never give yourself stitches unless you have absolutely no other choice they can trap infection inside the body when done incorrectly)
And, if the wound is extremely deep, a person may need several layers of stitches to piece together the skin, muscle, and viscera
You absolutely cannot get high on tylenol or ibuprofen even if you mix it with alcohol.
If you do mix tylenol or ibuprofen with alcohol it can cause internal bleeding/kidney damage/liver failure, so please don't do that
If someone is shivering from a high fever, don't cover them in blankets it will raise their body temperature even more (please try correctly dosed tylenol or ibuprofen for this)
Don't submerge someone with a high fever in ice water, they might go into shock (they also might panic and hurt themselves) in a pinch lukewarm water will do
Don't put ice on burns, run them under lukewarm or cool water instead
If someone overdoses on an opoid (heroin, morphine, various pain medications), there is a medicine called nalaxone (Narcan) that can reverse the effects of opioids (edit: thank you to @queerlybehooved)
If someone is bleeding profusely, don't just hold their head and whisper sweet nothings, put pressure on the wound!!!
If a bullet remains in a person’s body after being shot it most likely should not be dug out unless it's blocking something vital, the bullet is not the problem the damage it made in it's path is
This isn't a criticism of authors who have written things like this. A lot of it isn't common knowledge, and DIY healthcare is absolutely steeped in myth and misinformation. I just worry about disinformation being perpetuated (and I really enjoy accurate hurt/comfort)
If I got anything wrong, please let me know, and I'll edit the post. I'm far from perfect and appreciate good advice
Let me know if you guys want a fic rec list of my favorite Hazbin Hotel whump fics
Most of these I knew (all my family have worked or do work in the medical field), but that Don't Remove Bullet one is new info to me!!! Over all an excellent list of medical accuracies to elevate your whump!!!
Definition: Affection is a feeling of fondness or love towards someone or something. It typically involves a warm attachment, a caring attitude, and a desire to show kindness and tenderness.
When you want to write the emotion affection, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it.
Physical signs:
Hugs: Characters wrapping their arms around each other.
Kisses: Gentle or passionate lip contact between characters.
Hand-holding: Characters clasping each other's hands.
Cuddling: Characters snuggling closely together.
Caresses: Gentle touches or strokes on the face, arms, or back.
Smiling: Warm, genuine smiles directed at each other.
Eye contact: Prolonged gazes or meaningful looks.
Leaning in: Characters moving closer to each other.
Playfulness: Light teasing or playful physical interactions.
Body language: Open and relaxed posture, facing each other.
Resting heads: Characters resting their heads on each other's shoulders or laps.
Arm around shoulder: One character placing their arm around the shoulders of another.
Squeezing hands: Characters giving a reassuring squeeze to each other's hands.
Nuzzling: Characters pressing their nose or forehead against each other affectionately.
Sharing personal space: Characters standing or sitting closely together.
Whispering: Characters leaning in to share intimate or secretive words.
Back rubs: Characters giving gentle massages to each other's backs.
Gentle touches: Characters brushing away hair from each other's face.
Playful nudges: Light nudges or bumps with elbows or shoulders.
Shared laughter: Characters laughing together, often with touching or holding each other.
Internal sensations:
A sense of inner warmth or comfort when thinking about or being near the person they care for.
A fluttery feeling in the stomach or chest when they see or think about their loved one.
A general feeling of happiness or contentment when in the presence of their loved one.
A heightened sense of excitement or anticipation before seeing their loved one.
A calm and peaceful feeling when thinking about their relationship or when spending time together.
A subtle ache or longing when apart from their loved one.
A sense of security or safety when they are with their loved one.
A feeling of being valued and appreciated by their loved one.
A deep affection and fondness when remembering shared moments or qualities of their loved one.
A sense of gratitude for having their loved one in their life.
Mental Responses:
Longing for their presence
Comfort in their words
Excitement at hearing from them
Gratitude for their kindness
Eagerness to reciprocate
Nostalgia for past moments together
Anticipation of future connections
Affectionate memories surfacing
Sense of belonging
Telling Affection Examples to Avoid:
Try avoiding things like this:
John felt an overwhelming affection for his wife.
Sarah was filled with affection for her newborn baby.
The old man's eyes were filled with affection as he watched his grandchildren play.
Despite their rocky past, Mary still felt a deep affection for her ex-husband.
The dog's tail wagged with affection as his owner petted him.
Practical Examples of Showing Affection:
Some examples of showing affection in a sentence:
She hugged her friend tightly, feeling her warmth and comfort after a long day.
He smiled at his daughter and tousled her hair, glad to see her growing up so fast.
She rested her head on her partner's shoulder, sighing contentedly and feeling at ease in their embrace.
He placed a gentle kiss on his wife's forehead, silently communicating his love and support for her.
- The heavy clunk of a Whumpee in armor brought to their knees.
- A sword slammed into the ground in an attempt to keep themself from falling right over.
- Arms trembling as they try to keep themself up, the weight of their armor pushing them further down, bearing on their bruises.
- They're already succumbing to gravity. They're panting, barely holding on, leaning heavily on their sword, or their staff, their lance.
- Making the effort to use it to push themself to their feet again, pulling the sword back out of the ground, swooshing their lance as they find the strength for another round.
- The sound of a sword clanking against stone when it's twirled out of their grip or when they no longer have the strength to hold it.
- A sword kicked away. Or worse, a heavy boot crunching down on it just as Whumpee manages to close a hand around the hilt.
- The soft clinking sounds of defeat drawing nearer when the enemy approaches slowly, fully aware Whumpee is already defeated. Metal crunches with each step. Armor jingles with his soft movements, when he crouches down in front of Whumpee.
- The tip of a sword scratching along over metal, teasing over their chest plates until it finally finds the weak spot of the armor and slowly pushes through.
- Also, armor is heavy :) Give me exhausted armored characters, dragging themself along. They are supposed to stay ahead of the rest, be their shield... but every battle and by now every step has been wearing on them. And it won't take long before they'll just collapse.
In many situations, daggers might be more plausible than a sword fight.
Dagger are eaiser to carry and conceal, lighter, faster, good for spontaneous action, suicide bids, self-defense and assassination.
Dagger vs. Knife
No clear distinction; terms used interchangeably
Dagger is more for thrusting with 2 sharp edges
Knife is more for cutting (slashing) with 1 sharp edge
Concealment
Carried in a leather sheath on the belt
Can be concealed under a cloak, in a bodice (sheath sewn into the bodice), in a boot, behind hari ornaments
Bodice daggers (popular in the Renaissance) had no cross guards.
Connotations
Beside its combat value, the dagger has lots of emotional and sexual symbolisms.
The closeness need to attack with a dagger creates intense personal connection. They are often used in fights where emotions are running high: gang warfare, hate crime, vengeance.
Due to its shape and the fact that it's usually worn on a belt made it a symbol of virility in many cultures and periods.
Sometimes it was the hilt rather than the blade: like in the case of bollocks daggers with two...balls on either side of the hilt.
Fighting Techniques
Stabbing:-
The dagger with long, thin blades are made to stab a vital organ like the kidneys, liver, bowel, stomach or heart.
Stabbing directly at the chest seldom works, since the blde may glance off the ribs. Position the dagger below the ribcage and drive it upwards, through the diaphragm and into the lungs. If the sword is long enough and your fighter is a professional, you can get to the heart.
If no professional, just keep going for the stomach and you'll get one of the vital organs eventually.
Slashing:-
When describing a slash wound, show a lot of blood streaming, or even spurting.
Slashing dagger fights are bloody - show your MC's hands getting slick with blood, grip on the weapon slipping.
The aim is to cut the opponent's throat or cut tendoms, muscles, or ligaments to disable. Slashing the muscles in the weapon-wielding arm is the most effective; insides of the writst or back of the knee is also critical.
Assassinations:-
Show good knowledge of the humna antatomy
Use a stabbing dagger
A single, determined, calculated and efficient stroke, probably below the ribs.
Self-Defense:-
Disable the attacker by slashing their weapon-wielding hand (elbow or wrist)
Quick, multiple stabs wherever the MC can get the blade to land; the attacker won't give time for careful positioning
If the blade is too short to do any significant damage, maek up for this by stabbing so ast that the pain and blood loss distracts the opponent.
Vegeance and Hatred:-
Someone who is motivated by raging emotions will stab the victim repeatedly, even after he is already dead.
The attacker may stab or salsh the victim's face, disfiguring it.
Contemporary street fights and gang warfare usually involves these.
Duels:-
If both fighters are armed with daggers, include wrestling-type moves as they try to restrict each other's weapon hand.
Show them trying to disable each other by slashing insides of writes, elbows, the back of the knees, etc.
Dagger + Sword
If the character is expecting a fight, they can hold a sword in their right hand, and a dagger in their left to fight with both
wound tending is everything. unparalleled intimacy. let me care for you. let me touch the skin around your open flesh. let me stain my hands with your blood. let me get close and breathe in the same air as you and stare into your eyes for a few seconds too long. let me make you think of me every time you see the bandage, or scar
