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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 job interview in a modern London office. A middle aged Indian woman is being interviewed by two younger people, sitting around a polished wooden table. One of the interviewers is of Chinese descent, with they/them pronouns, and another of European descent. They are all wearing smart casual clothing suitable for their surroundings AI image

Infrastructure

On January 19, 2025January 11, 2025 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Shanthi looked across the table at the two people interviewing her. Both a good ten years younger than her, probably closer to fifteen, both looking confused by her answer. The one who'd introduced themselves as Yan, with they/them pronouns, asked. "Why, if you're coming in as a strategist, would you be spending time on the …

Continue reading Infrastructure

Dusk settles over a forest garden where rustic wooden houses with climbing vines share space with orderly vegetable plots. Heritage breed chickens roost in their enclosure near curious goats, while fruit trees create a natural boundary between the cultivated clearing and the wild forest. A gentle stream provides natural irrigation for this thriving micro-farm AI image

Village Tour

On January 15, 2025January 11, 2025 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

Eleanor set her shoulders. She could do this, she was good at learning, very good, much better than some smug village girl who was only here to try and beat her, if Eleanor left, Maggie would probably lose two helpers, not just one. Maggie’s eyes looked through her again, but all she said was. “And …

Continue reading Village Tour

A lady ogre with green, slightly rough skin and a warm smile stands behind a rustic wooden stall in a woodland market. The stall is adorned with colourful jars, carved soaps shaped like flowers and animals, and bottles filled with shimmering oils. Scents waft through the air, shown as whimsical swirls, while the forest background is alive with sunlight filtering through the trees and curious woodland creatures browsing her wares. AI image

Triangle

On January 12, 2025December 25, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn StoryLeave a comment

“You have to have a love triangle; all the best-sellers are doing it these days.” “Which means by the time this makes it through the publishing sausage-machine, it’ll be too clichéd for words and the kiss of death for the book.” Moira stretched her arms over her head and watched as her younger sister frowned …

Continue reading Triangle

A serene stream flows gently through a lush green forest, with smooth, flat stepping stones crossing the water. On either side, a grassy path follows the stream's curve. Upstream, a narrow, almost hidden path leads into the dense forest, nestled between an ancient oak tree with sprawling branches and a prickly holly bush. The sunlight filters softly through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the water and grass. AI image

Journey’s Pause

On January 8, 2025January 11, 2025 By Kat RedfernIn Mage Tower, StoryLeave a comment

The carriage had been built to impress pedestrians on the close-cobbled city streets of Stormhaven, and while it had rolled along well enough on the smooth, flat highway between there and Market Middling, it was a heavy pull indeed on the uneven, upward-sloping road towards Snowreach. They’d been plodding along the road since just after …

Continue reading Journey’s Pause

A set of hot springs in a cluster of rocks hidden at the narrow end of a mountain valley - there's steam coming off the water and the trees in the background are in the reds and oranges of autumn AI image

Indulge

On January 5, 2025December 24, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Jass had no idea how Ben knew this place, how he’d become friends with people living in a strange, beautiful valley in the middle of nowhere, with a set of hot springs in a tucked-away spot at the narrowest end of the valley. She might not know, but she wasn’t about to complain. After two …

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A double rainbow over a large herb garden with a forest in the background AI image

Woods Cottage – Day 11

On January 1, 2025December 24, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

Life has been blessedly quiet after the nightshade episode. School is back and the new little coven has been introduced to a few other witches in the area as potential apprentices. There’s no way I could take all of them on, I barely cope with Sarah and Ben. Even sour-sauce Emma has a mentor in …

Continue reading Woods Cottage – Day 11

an airport for flying pigs - where cute pink pigs with fluffy white wings take of and land at a whimsical version of an airport AI Image

Apology

On December 29, 2024November 27, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

"Are you expecting some sort of apology?" Dina snorted at Damien's question. "From you? I may as well set up an airport for pigs." "What's that supposed to mean?" "You stood me up on prom night. Did you apologise? No. You abandoned me in the middle of Rome, a strange city, among a language I …

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a bright, modern, open plan office. the image focuses on a large meeting table in the centre with an open bottle of champagne and several plastic cups with a little bit of champagne in each AI image

Acquisition

On December 25, 2024November 27, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

“We’ve been acquired!” Heads in the office popped up as Alistair burst through the doors, waving a bottle of champagne. “I didn’t know the company was for sale.” Whoever spoke didn’t sound too happy. Alistair didn’t seem to notice as he all but danced towards the kitchen area. “We weren’t but the EMX guys made …

Continue reading Acquisition

There was a bottle on the stone windowsill being used as a vase. It was clear glass, about half full of water, and held a single, pink flower. AI image

Bottle

On December 22, 2024November 27, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

There was a bottle on the windowsill. It was clear glass, about half full of water, and held a single, pink flower. Simeon wasn’t sure what type of flower it was, he wasn’t familiar with gardens, but it gave him a focus as he lay in a room he didn’t recognise, as people he didn’t …

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a day in the life of a young woman in a fantasy forest village - breakfast, laundry in the central bath house, carding and spinning wool, harvesting vegetables, and baking bread AI image

Routine

On December 18, 2024November 27, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

When Cadan announced, during dinner, that he would be staying in the village the following day, Matthew looked worried. “Not that I’m quibbling, lad, your wife is important, but someone needs to get word to the castle about fixing their road before this rain washes a new river straight through it. Ingrid’s already said you …

Continue reading Routine

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