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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHis new book, Daughters of the Hagwood<\/a><\/em>, dropped this week, and I had to catch up with him to talk about the story, his inspiration, and how a self-described \u201cnerdy dad\u201d brings a world like this to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt, it\u2019s been forever since we\u2019ve chatted\u2014and even longer since our fast food days. I know you from back then and social media, but for everyone else\u2026who is Matt Brakensiek?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt:<\/strong> The book cover is really striking\u2014the layered effect, the girl alone going into the woods, the sigils carved on the trees. It really sets that creeping dread tone. Were there any specific folklore traditions or legends that influenced Daughters of the Hagwood<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt:<\/strong> Firstly, the old 1960\u2019s and 70\u2019s horror movies that focused on rituals, specifically those that focus on Pagan rituals of sacrifice and the strange magic found in nature. Think the original Wicker Man, Midsommar, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second, I would say a big influence on the book is one of my favorite creatures found in D&D: hags. There is something eerie about strange old gnarled forest-dwellers dabbling with dark powers that your average person wouldn\u2019t understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lastly, my daughters. They inspire me everyday and I find that they open my mind to new and creative points of view. The main character, Runa, is a teenage girl and that was an interesting exercise putting myself in the shoes of that character. An exercise that I know wouldn\u2019t be possible without my daughters\u2019 influence on me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n 300+ pages is an accomplishment\u2014how long did it take to go from idea to finished book?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt:<\/strong> The trick that truly helped the ideas pour onto the page was creating a Spotify playlist with a tremendous amount of \u2018witchy\u2019 music. After that, it took roughly three months to get the first draft complete.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are there any local people or places that subtly made their way into the story or influenced characters?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt:<\/strong> If you had to describe the book in three words, what would they be?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt:<\/strong> Do you see this story continuing, or is it a standalone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt:<\/strong> Favorite spooky movie, show, or book right now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt:<\/strong> Recently, I\u2019ve become obsessed with the TV show FROM<\/a><\/em>. It has shades of The Walking Dead<\/em> and LOST<\/em> while maintaining its own unique flavor of weird suspense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go-to writing snack or drink?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt:<\/strong> One song that fits the vibe of Daughters of the Hagwood<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt:<\/strong> Also, I was lucky enough to find an artist by the name of Chase Holfelder<\/a> that has made plenty of cover songs, but all in a minor key which gives them a great unexpectedly haunting feel. I highly suggest checking it out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anything else you\u2019d like to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt:<\/strong> There\u2019s something really cool about reconnecting with someone years later and seeing them fully step into their creative world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daughters of the Hagwood<\/em> blends folklore, horror, and heart in a way that feels both haunting and personal\u2014and knowing it\u2019s shaped by fatherhood, local inspiration, and a love of storytelling makes it even better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re into dark fantasy, eerie woods, and stories that linger\u2026this might be your next read.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udc4b Catching Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, it\u2019s great chatting with you again since our old days of fast food hijinks. I\u2019m just a nerdy dad who writes in his spare time. When I\u2019m not working as an IT guy during the day or coming up with new writing projects, you can find me rolling twenty-sided dice, trying to find a good karaoke night around town, or (my favorite) spending time with my daughters. They really make life fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83c\udf32 Building the World<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor the cover, i had this idea of wanting to use mixed media and organic looking textures to touch upon that side of nature that lends itself to mystery and little hidden secrets. It works well with the themes of Daughters of the Hagwood. Regarding folkore and legends, the inspiration really comes from three sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\u270d\ufe0f From Idea to Finished Book<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is my second time publishing, and the first took quite a while to polish and finish up, but this one surprisingly hit the ground running. Once I came up with the basic themes I wanted to hit, I began outlining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83c\udf04 Local Inspiration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m a big fan of hiking, so I love the idea of exploring what might be out in the woods. Combine that with the Ozarks and my general fascination with cryptids and mysteries, I would say all these contributed to the feel of the story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udd2e The Heart of the Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSacrifice. Survival. Growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udcda What\u2019s Next?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI could definitely see revisiting these characters. I grew to love developing each character and finding their own particular quirks, secrets, and qualities that make them endearing in ways I didn\u2019t expect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83c\udfac Influences & Favorites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m a big fan of Leigh Bardugo\u2019s Grishaverse work. I like the way she makes the supernatural or unusual commonplace and gritty in her worlds. Masterful worldbuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83e\udd64 Writing Essentials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRecently discovered the joys of roasted edamame. Just enough to tide me over and keep me productive. Not too heavy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83c\udfa7 Soundtrack of the Hagwood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood question! Hard question. I found myself listening to \u201cRunning With The Wolves\u201d by Aurora<\/a> plenty of times while writing this book. It really hits the spirit of the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udcd6 Where to Find Matt\u2019s Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI appreciate you taking the time to shine some light on my work. If anyone wants to check out my work, it\u2019s available in ebook<\/a>, paperback<\/a>, and hardcover<\/a> on Amazon. Anyone can contact me on socials and I welcome all feedback and interest in my books.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83c\udf32 Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n