#hollowpines

[witchofthehollows]

Ello, I’m witchofthehollows I’m a variety streamer—so expect a little bit of everything: games, chaos, cozy moments, and the occasional descent into something… a little spooky This lovely character you see is Rowan Pines, from my original lore series Hollow Pines. If you’re into eerie small-town mysteries, hidden stories, and slow-burn horror, you can dive into it here:https://www.quotev.com/OccultaRose There are also other stories waiting if you feel like wandering deeper into the woods… Welcome to the Hollows.

[witchofthehollows]

Just Thinking about Hollow Pines

It's funny, for once I actually have a proper thought to share about one of my favorite things about Hollow Pines.

I'm genuinely glad I wrote a love interest for Rowan.

Unfortunately for me... I think I may have accidentally written someone who doesn't actually exist in real life.

The more I've worked on Rowan and her story, the more I've realized that I really am projecting some of my own wants, needs, and ideas of what I would want from a relationship into the story. And honestly? I'm okay with that.

Later in the book, things are going to get a little rocky for the two of them in one way or another. Their relationship isn't going to be perfect, and I think that's important. If I'm going to make Rowan feel like a real person, then her relationships need to feel real too.

Because that's something I've really wanted Hollow Pines to capture.

Yes, there are cryptids. Yes, strange things happen in the woods. Yes, there are things in this town that absolutely should not exist.

But underneath all of that, these are still people.

People who fall in love. People who make mistakes. People who want things. People who keep secrets. People who have to deal with the consequences of their actions.

And speaking of consequences...

I've been thinking a lot about where I want to take the next chapter because we're starting to reach the point where the story begins asking the who and what of Hollow Pines.

We're getting closer to uncovering what is actually happening in this town, while also beginning to bridge into the other side of the Hollows Universe: The Daily Hollows.

That's where we're going to start seeing more of the criminal underbelly of Hollow Pines—the things that happen behind closed doors, the stories that were forgotten, and the consequences of actions that happened long before Rowan ever came along.

Because there are stories in Hollow Pines that happened before Rowan.

Some of them explain why this town feels frozen in a time that doesn't quite match the modern world.

Some explain why certain things are the way they are.

And some...

Well, some were probably better left forgotten.

I'm also realizing that some of the other projects I've been planning for the Hollows Universe might fit into this story a lot better than I originally thought.

So, just a couple more steps, a few more ideas, and a whole lot of thinking...

Then we'll see where Hollow Pines takes us next.

Sometimes I think I'm writing the story.

Other times, I think Hollow Pines is telling me what happens next.

[witchofthehollows]

So, I updated the playlist I made for Rowan!

While I was reworking her character, I ended up having a bit of a realization. Rowan has slowly become the person I wish I could have been growing up—someone who still has flaws, still struggles with their mental health, but keeps moving forward anyway.

In a lot of ways, she's become a reflection of parts of myself, mixed with the person I'm still trying to become.

I hope this playlist helps make that a little clearer. The songs aren't just there because they sound nice—they tell pieces of her story, her emotions, and the things she doesn't always say out loud. I think it adds another layer to her character and helps her feel more like a real person.

I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed putting it together. 🌲🎧

Nfhrx wlhv z olg uli z kvihlm, rg'h xovzmh, svzoh, zooldh uli hvou vckivhhrlm yfg wlhv rg zoold lmvh hvou gl yv ulitrevm li vevm ulitrve zmlgsvi kvihlm? Sld nfxs vnlgrlm wlhv rg gifob zoold uli ….

[witchofthehollows]

I'm Back

Well, it's been almost a month since we finished tidying everything up!

The computer has been up and running for a while now. I've just been trying to get back into streaming, and honestly... I always find it hard to jump back into things after taking a long break. It's one of those hurdles I have to get over every time.

I'm going to do my best on Twitch and stream for as long as my body will allow. I know having some good company hanging out in chat will make getting back into the swing of things a whole lot easier.

Speaking of Twitch, I've been working on some new things that I'm really excited to share! I gave the stream a fresh look, and I honestly think these are the best overlays we've made yet.

...Although I still can't figure out how those strange codes keep finding their way into everything I create. No matter what I do, they always seem to appear. Maybe one of the Scouts—or perhaps someone outside our little story—will finally figure out what they mean.

[witchofthehollows]

Just a some thoughts

It's funny—I've never been the greatest at putting my thoughts and feelings into words. But honestly, with how quickly life has been speeding up lately, and while trying to make posts about how our little adventure went, I think I'm just going to start writing everything in a journal-like manner from now on.

Trying to tell the story of the journey that changed my life and gave me things I once thought I could only dream of is a lot harder than I expected. So, I, Rowan Pines, am going to switch up the way these stories are written and most likely go back and fix the chapters in the Book of Shadows and the other journal-esque entries. I want them to feel more like my experiences rather than tutorials on how to do things or collections of recipes and information.

Once I find all of my things for the larger computer, a lot will be changing.

Changing is a funny way of putting it, but it's true. Life is going to get busy, and I want to make sure I can balance the things I love better—work, hobbies, streaming, spending time with people who care about me, and taking care of the cats.

So keep an eye out for that. I can't wait to come back and laugh with everyone again.

You don't really notice how lonely someone can become when, for three or four years, most of their life has been lived online with people who want you around rather than with the people you've spent twenty-plus years with. Some of those people... well, you still don't quite get along with.

Oh, and that reminds me.

Since the weather has changed its attitude in the Hollows, rather than being gloomy and rainy this summer, it has decided to be sunny and hot. So a change in appearance might be in the cards as well.

There's a lot coming soon. Whether it's for better or worse, we'll just have to see what the future holds.

Not even divination seems willing to give me that answer.

[witchofthehollows]

After the Story

Lucien and I went for a drive a little while ago, and I guess every mountain town is kind of the same. Some have park gates, others have beautiful scenery with pine trees mixed with ash or poplar trees. The weather, though? That's a completely different story.

I really didn't know other places in the mountains and valleys got that hot. I thought the Hollows got hot during the summer, but I was wrong.

I took a lot of photos while he drove, and I can't wait to show everyone. There was so much wildlife too. We came across pretty much everything except moose and bears. I think Lucien would have cried if he saw either one. We did see a lot of elk, though—there's a photo of them on my phone somewhere.

Anyway, the drive was nice. I even got to see Derek in a larger city for a bit. It was so busy there. The traffic was kind of scary, and that definitely freaked Lucien out. He was gripping the steering wheel so tightly and swearing at every other driver on the road.

Honestly, I don't think he's meant for city driving, but that's fine. We're back in our hometown now.

We've been fixing up Mom's trailer—new paint, new decorations, and all that fun stuff. It's starting to feel more like home again. Room updates will be coming soon too, once everything is put together and looking the way we want it.

For the photo dump, I'll make a post over here on Tumblr and then later on Instagram too. Other places, like Discord, will probably just get links to those posts rather than having me dump dozens of photos all over the place.

I know new stories will come as life goes on. We still have a lot of our earlier years to catch up on and tell properly. Life doesn't just stop when the main story is told. Stories keep going long after the final chapter is written. They only truly end when we disappear from the world, or when the sweet embrace of death carries us on to whatever comes next.

For now, though, we're still here.

And that means there are plenty more stories left to tell.

— Rowan Pines ✦

[witchofthehollows]

I dont know what to post about ...

Hi'ya everyone!

I know I don't post too much on here. To be completely honest, I've never been very good at putting my thoughts and feelings out onto the internet. I've always found it easier to keep things to myself, but I'm trying to get better at sharing pieces of my life, my projects, and the things that matter to me.

A lot of my time lately has been spent working behind the scenes—writing lore, organizing notes, creating graphics, building commissions, and slowly expanding the world of Hollow Pines and everything connected to it. Even when I'm quiet, I'm usually working on something.

I want this space to become a place where I can share more than just finished projects. I'd like to post updates, ideas, works in progress, and maybe even some of the thoughts that inspire the things I create.

So if you've followed me for my writing, lore, paranormal projects, graphics, witchy content, or just because you happened to stumble across my corner of the internet—thank you. I appreciate you being here, even during my quieter periods.

Hopefully you'll be seeing a lot more of me around here.

– Witch of the Hollows 🌙

[witchofthehollows]

✦ Blessed Beltane, Scouts ✦ A yearly reading from the Hollows… You’ve known your path for a while now but old wounds and quiet doubts have kept you rooted in place. The fire has been lit. Step into your power. Trust what calls you. Let the healing finish what it started.