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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

Rainy beach with cliffs

Lost Island

On August 21, 2019February 15, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Lost Island, StoryLeave a comment

Prompt: There is an island where all lost things end up. Today you wake up, cold and wet, on the beach of that island. Sophia shifted slightly where she lay. Whatever it was she was lying on wasn't very comfortable, it was cold, wet and scratchy. As reason began to return, she realised she was …

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Overgrown steps leading to an old Japanese shrine gate

The Forgotten God

On August 18, 2019March 9, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Forgotten God, StoryLeave a comment

Pinterest Story Prompts: Write about a character who happens to be a god. The catch? This character is practically powerless, as nobody worships them any more. Double catch? Suddenly, one day, they feel that someone is praying for their protection. - maxkirin.tumblr.com If you want a beautiful story about a forgotten god, read this set …

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Drawing of an orange dragon

Tunnels and Dragons Part 2

On August 11, 2019February 15, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Story, Tunnels & Dragons1 Comment

This story has pretty much stalled at the below. Any suggestions on what happens next would be awesome. This time when she looked up though, Marcus wasn't giving her his usual gently teasing grin, he was gaping in shock. "Sariya, what? Why? How?" He noticed Mav, "First? What?" The dragon stretched and resettled, "My name …

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Sillhouette of a woman in a tunnel

Tunnels and Dragons Part 1

On August 4, 2019February 15, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Story, Tunnels & DragonsLeave a comment

Prompt: One day, while messing with the books on your bookshelf, you discover a mysterious passage behind it. There is just one problem, you live in a small apartment and behind that wall is supposed to be the outside world. Sariya could never remember the mix of books she pulled out of the shelf, or …

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Grey and white dog

Mary and Max

On July 28, 2019February 15, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, StoryLeave a comment

Another exercise from the CityLit course, this time, an unequal relationship that reverses over a series of scenes / vignettes. Mary fished the sack out of the river. Opening it, she cried. Puppies, all but one of them dead, and that one not likely to survive without a lot of care and attention. She wrapped …

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Person crouched on an empty stage

Picture Prompt

On July 21, 2019November 24, 2019 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, StoryLeave a comment

Another exercise from the CityLit workshop. A very short one, but one I like. We had to look at a bunch of pictures laid out on some desks and choose one as a prompt for a piece of writing. My main writing partner for the day, Lee, who was a ridiculously talented Irishman with a …

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Written Worlds by Rob Gonsalves

Corridor of Doors

On July 14, 2019February 15, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, Story1 Comment

I've just been in a one-day creative writing workshop at CityLit, highly recommended! After a year's worth of dry spell, I have enough creative exercises and explorations to make several posts, using prompts and exercises from the day. In this prompt, you walk along a corridor filled with doors. This does not obey the laws …

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The enchanted wood portal by besttravelphotos

Choose your trial

On June 17, 2018March 9, 2020 By Kat RedfernIn AnalysisLeave a comment

Quick and late one this weeks as my brain is fried. What would you choose from the following options? I think I'd choose Exploration. Domain would be the Genie's Palace, the Forest Shrine or the Pirate Ship.  Genie's Palace probably coming out on top by a whisker. I'd go with the gifts of Command, Flawed …

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Back view of a man holding a guitar behind him as he walks

Thrift Store Shirt

On June 6, 2018November 24, 2019 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, StoryLeave a comment

Pinterest Story Prompt: She bought the shirt for a dollar at the thrift store and found the key in the pocket a week later. - deepwaterwritingprompts.tumblr.com Melly loved her monthly thrift store treasure hunts. She usually went in with a particular theme or purpose, but was just as usually diverted down fascinating rabbit holes of …

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Snail with its shell photoshopped to look like a house

Suspend your disbelief

On May 29, 2018 By Kat RedfernIn Analysis1 Comment

Have you ever been completely jarred out of a story by something so wrong, you just can't accept it in that story's context? You have to sit back, process and then try to put the pieces back together to go on. I've just been reading the second book in a series, romantic fantasy, set in …

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