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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

image of a large simple stone house in the mountains, with cliffs behind it, surrounded by a luxuriant garden with vegetable crops and fruit trees AI image

A Stop Along the Road – Introduction

On May 8, 2024May 24, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn A Stop Along the Road, Random FictionLeave a comment

A new solo RPG - this is the introduction. The instalments, as they come, are prompted by tarot cards. Her Majesty has asked me to keep record of the travellers who spend a night beneath my roof. She says it would be useful. Helpful even. I don't know about that but she's a good girl, …

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Action shot of a fluffy grey tabby kitten playing with a red ribbon on a bare wooden floor AI image

Dash

On May 5, 2024April 6, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Misty dashed across the room, chasing the end of the ribbon Byron was flicking about. Reba was fairly sure the giggling farm girl who’d gifted him her apple-red ribbon at their last stopping point did not have this fate in mind for it. Or maybe she did, she cooed over the snarling kitten as so …

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A beautiful farmhouse style kitchen with a teapot, two mugs and a plate of biscuits on the table AI image

A Windfall

On May 1, 2024April 6, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, StoryLeave a comment

A woman inherits a house from her estranged grandmother. Upon entering the house, she discovers a secret room. Describe the room. (note: I got nowhere near the point of describing the room...) I barely knew I had a grandmother. Mum hated her with a passion. Mum hates a lot of people, including me. Either way, …

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Corner

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

Byron’s new cat crouched in the corner of their inn room and growled. It had been fine until the inn’s serving girl had waltzed in with (barely) warm washing water and a request to. “See the sweet little kitty.” Byron had nodded to his bed, where the cat, named Misty for reasons beyond Reba’s understanding, …

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Treatment

On April 21, 2024April 5, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn StoryLeave a comment

Piety placed her cup and saucer on the table in front of her and leaned across to hiss. “They said she had to go for treatment.” Anya lowered her own tea cup. “Treatment? What sort of treatment does one go to Penzance for? It’s at the end of the earth.” “Quite! It does give the …

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fantasy picture of a large green troll with a club, wearing a metal helmet and glaring, with mountains and highland heath in the background AI image

Visitors

On April 17, 2024April 5, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

Someone knocked at the door. Matthew raised his brows but went to open it. Eleanor couldn’t see the person past the forester’s broad frame, but she sounded young and enthusiastic. “Ma said I was to drop by and say hello here, after I visited the others, to make sure Cadan’s wife had another familiar face …

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Clue

On April 14, 2024March 23, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

“It’s a clue!” Emma withered Stephanie with a look. “It’s an Easter egg hunt, it doesn’t have clues, it has chocolate.” Stephanie remained annoyingly unwithered. “Maybe for you, my Mum likes to put a twist on things.” Of course she did, Stephanie’s mum was one of those parents who did ‘enriching activities’ after school and …

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a plate with cheeses on it - brie, a nice gouda and an outstandingly stinky stilton AI image

Woods Cottage – Day 2

On April 10, 2024March 23, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

A quiet day today, my only excitement was a lively debate with Sir Scutterscarry, a mouse with delusions of chivalry who lives in the potting shed. He is something of a cheesie, which is a foodie, but – well – you can guess which particular type of food he focuses on. It seems this week’s …

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bedraggled angry wet kitten with grey fur in a forest AI image

Bundle

On April 7, 2024March 23, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

They were camping that night, set up in a roadside clearing used by trade caravans who’s plodding horses and bulky wagons couldn’t make the full run through the forest between dawn and dusk. It was a large clearing with a well-worn path to a wide, clear stream nearby. Tonight, the clearing was empty of everyone …

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A ball of wool, wooden knitting needles and knitting AI image

Knitting

On April 3, 2024March 23, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

Sarah handed her a little pot. “Have Cadan help you put this on before bed. It’s an easing salve for sore muscles. It'll leave your smock a little green, but we've got the big wash due for our household tomorrow. All the sheets and cloths, so it won't be a big addition and you're going …

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