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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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Category: Random Fiction

Photo of a small group of worried-looking women, with green priestess robes over casual modern clothing, standing outside a wood cabin on a small hill in a forest clearing, with a dirt road leading in, talking to a bored-looking man in the doorway of the cabin Ideogram image

Seventh

On September 27, 2026September 11, 2026 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

“You are the seventh son of a seventh son. You are the chosen paladin of the Green Goddess!” The woman finished her oration, which had involved far too much questionable history for Gabe’s patience and looked at him triumphantly. Gabe sighed and rubbed his brow. “Does this one at least pay?” “What?” “We’re pretty low …

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photorealistic picture of a fantasy cottage kitchen, spacious yet cosy, with stone walls and beams formed of living tree roots. At the large, well-used table in the middle, two well-dressed noble young ladies are sitting. The blonde one is perched on the edge of her chair, looking uncomfortable, the other has dark brown hair and is sitting comfortably with her elbows on the table Ideogram image

The Witch Under the Hill – Part 2

On September 20, 2026September 11, 2026 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

Lillabelle looked around with much the same expression as she’d had when Evander had dragged them to a slum area of Starsong’s capital city as part of some scheme of his mother’s to improve the place. She placed a fine, lace edged handkerchief on the seat of one of the chairs and perched on it, …

Continue reading The Witch Under the Hill – Part 2

A cinematic photo of a cat asleep in a sunny spot on the windowsill of a sitting room, with pot plants on either side of her Ideogram image

Bronze

On September 20, 2026September 11, 2026 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

It was fine, really, Miranda was perfectly happy to stay at home, perfectly happy to keep the plants watered and the cat company while Mum and Dad went snorkelling in the Maldives, and Patrick posted photos on social of him in the arms of a bronzed Aussie surf god in Sydney. She liked being at …

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An annoyed-looking dragon trying to fit into a too-small cave in a mountain clearing. There is gold piled up both inside and outside the cave Ideogram image

A Dragon’s Yelp Review

On September 13, 2026August 4, 2026 By Kat RedfernIn Story, Writing ExercisesLeave a comment

1/5 Stars Call that a cave? I’ve seen larger rabbit holes I have to admit, I visited this cave with very low expectations, and yet it managed to underwhelm in every regard. First, a cave should be large enough to fit into, and by ‘fit’ I mean be capable of accommodating a decent-sized dragon, with …

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Over the shoulder photograph of a young woman in the narrow front hall of a house, the wooden front door at one end of it is closed and she has her hand on the door handle, ready to open it and leave Ideogram image

Skip

On September 6, 2026August 4, 2026 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

“It’s not healthy to skip meals.” “I’m not skipping, Grams, I’m meeting my friends for lunch.” Alison paused with her hand on the door handle but didn’t turn around. She’d been so, so close to getting out without being noticed. She saw Tim standing half behind Grams in the reflection of the window by the …

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Cinematic photo of an angry old man sitting at the head of a boardroom table, yelling at the mobile phone he's holding in front of him. The other people in the room are silent and nervous Ideogram image

Trace

On August 23, 2026August 4, 2026 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

“How could the sole heiress to the SpinLink Corporation just disappear without a trace?” Jaxon hoped Mr Windman’s question was rhetorical, because he didn’t have an answer. The older man glared around the room, full of silent, stressed, subordinates, all wondering the same thing. The only thing that could be said for sure what that …

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Historical fantasy photograph of a busy but ramshackle tavern at night Ideogram image

Settlement

On August 9, 2026July 10, 2026 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

It was a large settlement, more than a village but too much of it was temporary for it to be considered a town. Maybe it would, one day, if brick and stone replaced enough of the canvas and wooden planking. In the meantime, it felt like a cross between a market square and a campsite. …

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a close-up photo of a swarm of bees flying through a midnight wood, lit faintly by the stars Ideogram and Gemini

The Forester

On August 2, 2026July 10, 2026 By Kat RedfernIn Story, The Last TeashopLeave a comment

The drizzle has changed to fog. A thick, heavy blanket of cloud with a bruised purple tint, as if the air itself is hurting. My visitor tonight wears the green tunic and cloth badge of a forester, and moves as if he too is bruised. It’s more memory than physical maladies that pain him. A …

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16:9 cinematic photograph of the main counter of Rundell & Bridge jewellers in London in the Regency era. There are several Regency style necklaces on velvet mats on the surface of the counter Gemini image

Duty

On July 26, 2026July 10, 2026 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

It had been three days since Lord Marcus had taken Charlotte and Anya to tea and Lord Tristram still hadn’t visited. But…there had been such stories flying between the servants’ halls as to have Anya quite hopeful. She checked to make sure their mothers weren’t listening, then leaned towards Charlotte. “Apparently, Lord Tristram has been …

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A close-up photograph of a phone sitting on a coffee table in a comfortable sitting room. The phone screen shows 10 missed calls and 15 unread message notifications. Ideogram and Gemini

Credit

On July 12, 2026June 21, 2026 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

“And yet again, I do all the work, and Janice takes all the credit.” Maya slumped onto the battered sofa and took a swig from her can of beer. Dylan was not sympathetic. “I’ve told you a million times, either don’t do the work, or make it so she can’t take the credit.” “Oooorrrrr,” Maya …

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Sackcloth and Sky by Kat Redfern
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