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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

Headshot of a bay horse

Encountering Connor

On September 15, 2019February 15, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Lost Island, Story2 Comments

Sophia strode through the forest, smiling a greeting at a friendly raven and tossing some scraps collected from breakfast to both her and the uncertain little furballs in the undergrowth. She wasn't sure what they were, the island collected mythical animals that had lost their belief along with everything else, but they were cute and …

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Platforms at Wimbledon train station

Escape by Rail

On September 11, 2019February 15, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Changing Lanes, Story2 Comments

She'd made the train with minutes to spare, thankfully it wasn't full. She was easily able to find room for her suitcase and a window seat for herself. The advantage of moving to more internationally-focused hours for work, she was able to do things, like the big final move to her new home, during quiet …

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Hydrangrea Cottage by Scott Barron on Flickr

Trouble Comes Knocking

On September 8, 2019March 9, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Forgotten God, StoryLeave a comment

Lorsan heaved the bags he was carrying onto the kitchen table and turned to retrieve the basket from Lydia, who sidestepped and put it on the table herself. He was aware of buying rather a lot, but it was rare to have a visitor and this one needed feeding up and strengthening for as long …

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Old leather suitcase

Half an Hour to Pack

On September 5, 2019February 15, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Changing Lanes, StoryLeave a comment

One of the exercises at the CityLit course I did a few weeks ago was to write a piece about only having half an hour to pack, that focused on the senses. It was my first inkling that Ally and Chris had plans to take over large portions of my brain at unexpected times. Ally …

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Large tree in a small clearing

Finding the Lost God

On September 3, 2019February 15, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Lost Island, StoryLeave a comment

The forest was old, revered and not one to suffer fools. Thankfully Sophia had been properly introduced before starting on its paths and it was cautiously approving. She made sure not to blunder through the overgrowth or trample fragile new flowers and the paths stayed clear of thorns, if rather narrow. She got the rather …

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Blurred lights through rain-washed glass

Rainy Night

On September 1, 2019February 15, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Story, Tunnels & DragonsLeave a comment

This came from a prompt 'the rain is full of ghosts tonight' and it turned out to be a conversation between Marcus and Sariya, with the usual interruptions. Marcus looked towards the window from his comfortable corner of the sofa, "The rain is full of ghosts tonight." "What's that supposed to mean? It's creepy." "It …

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Fake street with white buildings and colourful balconies

More Doors

On August 29, 2019February 15, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, StoryLeave a comment

This is another round of the three doors exercise, but I forgot what the time limit was and went for fifteen minutes per door. Turns out it was only meant to be five. I like the longer one. Door 1 Walking down the hall, choosing a door at random. It's dark wood, almost black, very …

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Cup of coffee and mobile phone on a table in a cafe

Coffee Meeting

On August 27, 2019February 15, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Changing Lanes, StoryLeave a comment

This is the first of the prequel pieces to The Wooden Chest and an early warning this story was getting ready to run away with me. The next scene (chronologically) was my first warning the characters had a lot more to share than a random shopping encounter in a field. Ally breathed deeply as she …

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Copper kettle hanging over an open fire in a brick fireplace

Morning Greetings

On August 25, 2019March 9, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Forgotten God, StoryLeave a comment

Lorsan looked up from the kitchen table, where he was enjoying a cup of tea before thinking about starting breakfast, "Good morning Lydia, I hope you slept well, or at least as well as might be expected in strange circumstances." "I was very comfortable, thank you. Should I return the key now?" "No need. You …

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Indian hand carved wooden box

The Wooden Chest

On August 23, 2019February 15, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Changing Lanes, StoryLeave a comment

This story has a few episodes in it already, it sort of took off when I wasn't looking and I have a weird situation where I wasn't sure which scene to post first. I've gone with this one as it's the first one I wrote and has the prompt that kicked the whole thing off, …

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