Skip to content

The DNA of Stories

Ideas and first drafts with a bit of analysis from time to time

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • Thrushbeard
  • 10 Minute Sprints
  • One Day at a Thyme
  • Story Noodling
    • Lyra
    • Arianna
    • Psyche
    • Calypso
    • Nightingale
    • Changing Lanes
    • Secrets
    • Greenwitch
    • Lost Island
  • Analysis
  • Kat Redfern Author Site

Category: Random Fiction

A lush herb garden containing rosemary, bay, thyme, oregano, mint, basil and other plants AI image

Woods Cottage – Day 3

On May 22, 2024May 4, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

It seems young Sarah’s new friends got her into a spot of bother. A two-day school suspension sort of bother, and her mother is refusing to let her spend it lolling about, staring at screens. She phoned me after confiscating Sarah’s mobile for the duration. I could hear the howls of affronted horror clear across …

Continue reading Woods Cottage – Day 3

A fluffy grey kitten sitting on an old wooden table, looking smug AI image

Threaten

On May 19, 2024May 4, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Byron glared at the smirking boy standing over his table. “Did you just threaten my cat?” “A cat? That’s not a cat, it’s my new winter hat.” The boy went to grab Misty who yowled and slashed out, drawing blood. “I’ll wring your filthy little neck.” Bryon scooped Misty behind him and stood. The boy …

Continue reading Threaten

Image of two ornate, old-style ladies' fans on a polished wooden table with a porcelain vase next to them AI image

Acid

On May 12, 2024April 6, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

“Charmed, I’m sure.” Lady Charlotte’s words dripped acid. Even someone as dense as Lord Bernard felt their burn, and squirmed. He attempted what he probably thought was a rakish grin. “I’m terribly sorry to interrupt your conversation, but I’ve come to steal Miss Anya away.” Anya flicked her fan open and grimaced at her cousin …

Continue reading Acid

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, …

Continue reading A Stop Along the Road – Introduction

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 …

Continue reading Dash

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, …

Continue reading A Windfall

Angry grey kittenAI image

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, …

Continue reading Corner

Easter eggs in a basket on a kitchen table AI image

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 …

Continue reading Clue

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 …

Continue reading Woods Cottage – Day 2

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 …

Continue reading Bundle

Posts navigation

Older posts
Newer posts

Categories

  • Story (536)
  • 10 Minute Sprints (99)
  • Random Fiction (93)
  • Thrushbeard (73)
  • Writing Exercises (56)

Tags

  • 10 Minute Sprints (90)
  • Fantasy (90)
  • Story Prompt (75)
  • contemporary (67)
  • Historical (37)

Year

  • 2026 (17)
  • 2025 (129)
  • 2024 (91)
  • 2023 (63)
  • 2022 (70)
Blog at WordPress.com.
Sackcloth and Sky by Kat Redfern
The DNA of Stories
Blog at WordPress.com.
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • The DNA of Stories
    • Join 124 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • The DNA of Stories
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...