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The DNA of Stories

Ideas and first drafts with a bit of analysis from time to time

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Author: Kat Redfern

wellferns on a sunny windowsill AI image

Woods Cottage – Day 9

On November 13, 2024October 26, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

I was repotting young Ben's wellfern - he's growing like nobody's business just now, so naturally the plant assigned to monitoring his health is putting out new shoots, and roots, all but cracking its pot in response. I had it happily re-planted in a wide wooden tub on the windowsill of my still room, and …

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a six year old boy holding an ice cream cone with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. AI image

Lick

On November 10, 2024October 26, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Jana watched as Damon inspected the ice cream cone he’d been handed, a serious frown on his small features as he turned it this way and that, then leaned in to sniff. “He’s never had ice cream before?” Jana favoured Tyler with a pinched smile. “Grandmother doesn’t believe in indulging children. I didn’t have it …

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historical fantasy image of a large island, seen from the sea, with morning mist surrounding it. It has a small town with a dock area and a stone fort, with mansions with large, landscaped gardens dotting the hillside behind. AI image

Island

On November 3, 2024October 26, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

She’d never been to The Island. It had some official name, something to do with a ship that wrecked on it, or the captain who caused the wreck, but no one ever used it. The Island was simply The Island, and it was there, guarding the entrance to Harbour Bay, its buildings a funny mix …

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An illustration of a gryphon lying on a vegetable garden, squashing the cabbages AI image

Sore Hands

On October 30, 2024October 26, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

She followed him out and found both Sarah and Matthew preparing for the day. Sarah smiled and said. “Can you get the bread?” Cadan made for the fire nook, grabbing a cloth on the way. “Not with your hands in that state, Nora.” “They’re fine.” She stalked over to the pantry, only to find the …

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a sink in stark white counter on one side of a scientific laboratory, the sink is piled high with dirty beakers AI image

Remark

On October 27, 2024October 5, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Myra stared back at the silent group in the common room, daring them to remark on her appearance. No one took up her silent challenge until Jaxon walked in. “What the hell are you wearing, Mys?” “A dress.” “That’s a little more than a dress. You planning on infiltrating the Ruler’s ball or something?” “Yes.” …

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A woman with long dark brown hair in a bun, working on a high tech computer in a medical lab. The computer screen shows a data table with 8 columns ai image

Pattern

On October 23, 2024October 5, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Giselle stared at the readout. There was a pattern here, she could feel it. Unfortunately, the head of the lab didn’t accept ‘feelings’ as valid data, even when they’d proven correct every other time. It was there, but she had no idea how to find it, what it was, what it meant. Even an inkling …

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a ramshackle room like the common room of a decrepit fantasy inn. The benches and tables are battered and much mended, and the room itself is a foot deep in rubbish - food waste, broken containers, and indeterminate muck AI image

Committee

On October 20, 2024October 5, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

For all Raf had no time for committees or whatever else they tried to call themselves, he had to admit the Administrative Council of Forgotten did their job well. Largely because they stayed within their self-imposed label – administration. They didn’t try to rule, or police, or judge. When one of the criminal gangs from …

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An old carved wooden chest in the bedroom of a wood and stone cottage from a fantasy tale, lit by a single oil lamp. The chest is about 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide and has clean laundry bundled into it AI image

Exhaustion

On October 16, 2024October 5, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

Sarah looked up from grinding something in a small stone mortar. “Matthew sent word they’re caught at a treefall on the castle road. Normally he and Cadan make up the beds but they won’t be home before we’re asleep, if at all, tonight. Best to make yours now, so you can tumble straight in after …

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a photo of two crystal whiskey tumblers, each with a measure of whisky over a single, large ice cube. They're probably on a polished dark wooden table such as you'd have in a wealthy man's study or library AI image

Negotiation

On October 13, 2024September 29, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

According to Phaedra, negotiation consisted entirely of playing one parent off against the other. But then, she’d never had a job Daddy hadn’t paid for. At the moment, she was an assistant communications executive at a PR firm that really didn’t have the time or energy for the lunches and chatty champagne hours Phaedra seemed …

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Two figures in grey hooded cloaks hiding in a rubbish-strewn alleyway at night in a fantasy city AI image

Ally

On October 6, 2024September 28, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Harte wasn’t so much a friend as an ally, but that potentially made him more useful in what was a tricky situation. Reba was about to step out and greet him, but Bryon put a hand on her arm, and gestured to the cat on his shoulders. Misty’s instinct for trouble, more specifically, her dislike …

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Sackcloth and Sky by Kat Redfern
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