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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

A set of hot springs in a cluster of rocks hidden at the narrow end of a mountain valley - there's steam coming off the water and the trees in the background are in the reds and oranges of autumn AI image

Indulge

On January 5, 2025December 24, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Jass had no idea how Ben knew this place, how he’d become friends with people living in a strange, beautiful valley in the middle of nowhere, with a set of hot springs in a tucked-away spot at the narrowest end of the valley. She might not know, but she wasn’t about to complain. After two …

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A double rainbow over a large herb garden with a forest in the background AI image

Woods Cottage – Day 11

On January 1, 2025December 24, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

Life has been blessedly quiet after the nightshade episode. School is back and the new little coven has been introduced to a few other witches in the area as potential apprentices. There’s no way I could take all of them on, I barely cope with Sarah and Ben. Even sour-sauce Emma has a mentor in …

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an airport for flying pigs - where cute pink pigs with fluffy white wings take of and land at a whimsical version of an airport AI Image

Apology

On December 29, 2024November 27, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

"Are you expecting some sort of apology?" Dina snorted at Damien's question. "From you? I may as well set up an airport for pigs." "What's that supposed to mean?" "You stood me up on prom night. Did you apologise? No. You abandoned me in the middle of Rome, a strange city, among a language I …

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a bright, modern, open plan office. the image focuses on a large meeting table in the centre with an open bottle of champagne and several plastic cups with a little bit of champagne in each AI image

Acquisition

On December 25, 2024November 27, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

“We’ve been acquired!” Heads in the office popped up as Alistair burst through the doors, waving a bottle of champagne. “I didn’t know the company was for sale.” Whoever spoke didn’t sound too happy. Alistair didn’t seem to notice as he all but danced towards the kitchen area. “We weren’t but the EMX guys made …

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There was a bottle on the stone windowsill being used as a vase. It was clear glass, about half full of water, and held a single, pink flower. AI image

Bottle

On December 22, 2024November 27, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

There was a bottle on the windowsill. It was clear glass, about half full of water, and held a single, pink flower. Simeon wasn’t sure what type of flower it was, he wasn’t familiar with gardens, but it gave him a focus as he lay in a room he didn’t recognise, as people he didn’t …

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a day in the life of a young woman in a fantasy forest village - breakfast, laundry in the central bath house, carding and spinning wool, harvesting vegetables, and baking bread AI image

Routine

On December 18, 2024November 27, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

When Cadan announced, during dinner, that he would be staying in the village the following day, Matthew looked worried. “Not that I’m quibbling, lad, your wife is important, but someone needs to get word to the castle about fixing their road before this rain washes a new river straight through it. Ingrid’s already said you …

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Dawn - Sunlight washed the fields below with soft gold, framed through the last line of trees. A clear sky, grey-fading-to-blue arched over fine lines of cloud, painted in shades of peach and apricot. Hard to believe it could be so beautiful, so completely unaffected by the upheaval on the lands beneath. AI image

Dawn

On December 15, 2024November 26, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

They kept trudging, as the darkness slowly began to ease, and the eastern sky lightened. They’d walked through the night – and would have to walk further – they had a long way to go. Som called a break and the other five sat where they were, the forest floor was no more or less …

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A Baroque-style manor house of decent, but not excessive size, against the backdrop of the rolling English countryside AI image

Woods Cottage – Day 10.5

On December 11, 2024November 26, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

Yes, I know that was not a helpful place to leave things, but I had an interruption. It’s all taken care of now, so I can resume. We set off about fifteen minutes later, the girls finished their tea and cake while I pulled together a few odds and ends that might come in useful …

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a basket on a table in a small greenhouse. The basket is half full of mysterious round linen bundles, tied with string AI image

String

On December 8, 2024November 26, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, Story2 Comments

String, string, where was the damn string when you needed it? I dug through the drawer under my planting table, I knew I had some in here somewhere. Or, wait, did I run out of it when I was tying up the tomato plants? Damn! Why hadn’t I added it to the shopping list? And …

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A weathered wooden chest in an old cottage room, standing against the stone and timber wall with an oil lamp on the table beside it. The rich mahogany wood is worn from many years of use, showcasing intricate carvings that hint at untold stories. This detailed depiction, likely a painting, captures the warm glow of lamplight, high lighting the chest's aged beauty. AI image

Homesick

On December 4, 2024November 26, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

Sarah was knitting by the fire when Eleanor let herself in. “No wool?” Eleanor’s explanation ended up as a full recitation of the afternoon’s events and Sarah chuckled. “She’s a wily one, is Maggie, and I’ll do you a trade. Make up that pillowcase of yours into an apron for me, and I’ll give you …

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