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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 university student's room with a periodic table of elements diagram pinned above the desk, and a single bed on the other side of the room AI image

Table

On July 28, 2024July 6, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute SprintsLeave a comment

Matt stared at the periodic table of elements pinned to the wall. He'd put it there at the start of term, a symbol of his new life, his new focus. It wasn't working. He was supposed to be exploring the mysteries of atoms and reactions. Instead, he was collapsed on the creaky, lumpy single bed …

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fantasy image in a garden with beds of herbs and flowers - The figure turned. Tall and thin, with a pale, pointed face, eyes of pure black, and small antennae growing from her forehead. Most definitely a her, a Queen Bee, no less. AI image

Woods Cottage – Day 5

On July 24, 2024July 6, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

It's been unseasonably warm this week and someone (or something) has been using my garden sprinklers to cool off. I'd not normally be bothered but whoever it is as no concept of moderation and has all but drowned the herb beds, not to mention leaving the hydrangeas wet, in the full glare of the sun. …

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a round, comfortable blue teapot on a kitchen counter, the kitchen is in a modern, rustic style AI image

Mixture

On July 21, 2024July 6, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Marie was baking. Nothing unusual there. Jamie had never known her big, cosy kitchen to not smell of fresh bread, or chocolate cake, or crisp, buttery biscuits. It felt different though - tense - with a threat of burnt sugar. He stayed by the door, watching Marie stir a dark, lumpy mixture, her brows creased …

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fantasy image of a bath house - light and welcoming with gold-grained wood walls, and a range of wooden tubs of different sizes across the space. The floor between the tubs alternates squares of stone and wood, may sections overlaid with woven rush mats. At the far end is a stone fire pit for heating the water. AI image

The Bath House

On July 17, 2024July 6, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

They set off into the early morning light, and Eleanor got her first look at the place she was now expected to call home. Sarah and Matthew’s cottage, much like her father’s place in town, sat on the edge of an open space, with other cottages nearby. It was much smaller than the market square, …

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an ethereal image in colours of soft pink and purple of a figure floating through clouds in a meditation pose AI image

Concentrate

On July 14, 2024July 6, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn StoryLeave a comment

“I want you to close your eyes and concentrate.” Sharee did as she was told, sort of. She closed her eyes. “What am I supposed to be concentrating on?” “Anything. Your breath, the feel of the air on your face, the beat of your heart, the feel of your leggings against the skin of your …

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A photo of a country kitchen where sunlight shone off polished copper pots, hanging from racks along one wall of the kitchen, warming the cool, solid grey of the old stones making up the wall. Together with the big, slightly battered wooden table in the middle, and the scent of coffee and baking, the room felt like a hug AI image

Copper

On July 7, 2024June 15, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Sunlight shone off polished copper pots, hanging from racks along one wall of the kitchen, warming the cool, solid grey of the old stones making up the wall. Together with the big, slightly battered wooden table in the middle, and the scent of coffee and baking, the room felt like a hug and a listening …

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A deep, fast-flowing river by the walls of a medieval town AI image

A Stop Along the Road – Beatrice

On July 3, 2024June 15, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn A Stop Along the Road, StoryLeave a comment

It’s been unusually quiet since Archer moved down to the village, only a merchant family, regular visitors and well-known to Her Majesty, so I’ll not spend the time or ink until they have a story to share. They did give my direction to my latest visitor though. She encountered them near the head of the …

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A photo of a high end art gallery in Sydney, Australia, with modern looking paintings and sculptures. There is an out-of place sculpture, about 2 feet tall, made from an uneven tree stump chopped and chain sawed into a rough but sweet tree troll standing on the floor. There is a truth in the twinkle of the near-hidden eyes and shy but shrewd tilt of its oddly flattened head. AI image

Crude

On June 30, 2024June 15, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

It was a crude approximation of a sculpture, but that added to its charm. An uneven tree stump chopped and chain sawed into a shape Melanie could only describe as a rough but sweet tree troll. Did they even have trolls in Australia? They certainly had all manner of amazing creatures, invisible to most. It …

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Historical fantasy image of a fresh loaf of bread on a wooden table with a crock of butter and a jar of honey. The honey jar is made of pottery and has a wobbly bee painted on it AI image

Starting the Day

On June 26, 2024June 15, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

She sighed and stretched. Her shoulders grumbled, but didn’t scream, so she stretched them again as she sat, then clambered out of their snug little nest of blankets. Cadan’s grin made her blush, worse when she realised he was barely even half dressed. She scurried to where she’d left her clothes the previous evening, in …

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A large chestnut tree near the gate to a park with wrought iron benches and green grass, historical AI image

Confusion

On June 23, 2024June 15, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Anya stood in the shade of a chestnut tree near the entrance to the park, mentally urging her cousin to hurry. It wasn’t just because of the news she had to share. She also wanted to move away from the three young men calling out endearments and dirty suggestions from just outside the gates. Nanny …

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