Henscratch Studios

Writing

The writing at Henscratch Studios gathers the stories that have shaped how we see the world. Dugan’s Henscratch Essays look closely at the small, vivid moments of raising two children in the 1990s—pieces full of humor, tenderness, and the quiet meanings that surface over time. Alongside them are the Bit by Bit, Henscratch Poems and the Kitty Tales series. Together, they trace a life shaped by family, curiosity, and a world changing around us.

Written by Dugan Maddux from the early 1990s through the mid-2000s, the Henscratch Essays are reflections on the daily rhythms of family life, work, and raising children in Danville, Virginia. With humor, honesty, and a keen eye for the small moments that define a life, these essays capture the balancing act of two nephrologists navigating careers and parenthood in a close-knit southern town. Deeply personal yet widely relatable, they preserve the texture of a time and place while offering a warm, enduring portrait of family, memory, and growing up.

Written in the early days of the internet, these essays by Dugan Maddux explore the emerging digital world with curiosity, humor, and a distinctly personal perspective. As co-founders of one of the region’s first internet service providers, Gamewood Data Systems, Dugan and her family were not just observers but active participants in the technology shaping everyday life in Southside Virginia. Blending approachable explanations of complex ideas with stories from home and work, these pieces reflect both the wonder and the absurdity of a time when modems chirped, connections crawled, and the online world was just beginning to take hold. Lighthearted and insightful, the essays offer a charming glimpse into how quickly the extraordinary became familiar.

Written alongside her essays, Dugan Maddux’s Henscratch Poems reflect the same storytelling spirit in a more lyrical and imaginative form. These poems capture moments of family life, travel, and everyday wonder through vivid images, gentle humor, and a playful voice. Whether whimsical or reflective, each piece tells a story at heart—turning ordinary experiences into something memorable, meaningful, and quietly magical.

Written by Dugan Maddux in the late 2000s, Kitty Tales follows the gentle adventures of her daughter, Emma, and her beloved gray kitty. Through quiet conversations and small everyday moments, the stories capture the warmth, imagination, and comfort of childhood, where toys come to life and simple experiences become meaningful journeys.