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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 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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oil painting of a woman with long brown hair in a cherry red overcoat walking down a rainy street in Paris at night AI image

Woods Cottage – Day 8

On October 2, 2024September 28, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

My plans for the morning took an unexpected turn when Jason Bandswich from the Manor called. Not that it’s unusual for him to call, he’s a sweet boy, an American tech genius who sold something terribly clever for a ridiculous amount of money and decided to take a break from ‘the scene’ by exploring his …

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fantasy city at night - dark empty narrow street with looming grey stone buildings and clouds overhead AI image

Cooperative

On September 29, 2024September 14, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Reba spotted her apprentice’s signal from the shadows behind a pile of rotting barrels and beckoned him over. He ghosted across the street, a pulsing artery of the city’s merchant area in the day time, quiet as a tomb at night. Misty was draped across Byron’s shoulders, greeting Reba with a sharp-toothed yawn. She was …

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a table in a cafe with two black americano coffees and a sugar bowl AI image

Solve

On September 22, 2024September 14, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

“Why should I solve your problems? Again.” Ari sat back, trying to keep her expression cool and challenging instead of furious. Phaedre bit her lip, a singe tear trailing from one eye. “I didn’t mean to…” “You never do. And you never learn. It’s past time you grew up.” “But…” Ari stood. “No. I told …

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a cockatrice in a dark forest AI image

A Difficult Afternoon

On September 18, 2024September 14, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

Maggie raised a brow at Eleanor who was trying to work out how to carry both clean clothes and dirty without transferring the problems of one to the other, then held out her basket. “Pop your muddy ones in here, and we’ll get to scrubbing.” They followed a swaggering Martha into the bath house, where …

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birthday gift wrapping half opened to display an ugly sweater in dull green with cable knit detail AI image

Voucher

On September 15, 2024July 28, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Livvy cringed and tried to smile at the sight of the too-bulky, too-short sweater. Knitted in Nan’s favourite squeaky polyester yarn in a particularly lurid shade of snot green. “Thanks Nan, I love it.” Why couldn’t she be more like Emily and Amanda’s Nan, who just gave them gift vouchers? Nan smiled, it lit up …

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English forest path at sunset with a small camera drone being attacked by even smaller bats AI image

Woods Cottage – Day 7

On September 11, 2024July 28, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

It's a little-known fact that a core part of the school curriculum for young elementals is a solid grounding in human fairytales and myths. Our local head teacher does not wish their students to accept these stories, and their depictions of both humans and fae, uncritically, so made a trade with me. Their side of …

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