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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: Writing Exercises

a sink in stark white counter on one side of a scientific laboratory, the sink is piled high with dirty beakers AI image

Remark

On October 27, 2024October 5, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Myra stared back at the silent group in the common room, daring them to remark on her appearance. No one took up her silent challenge until Jaxon walked in. “What the hell are you wearing, Mys?” “A dress.” “That’s a little more than a dress. You planning on infiltrating the Ruler’s ball or something?” “Yes.” …

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A woman with long dark brown hair in a bun, working on a high tech computer in a medical lab. The computer screen shows a data table with 8 columns ai image

Pattern

On October 23, 2024October 5, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Giselle stared at the readout. There was a pattern here, she could feel it. Unfortunately, the head of the lab didn’t accept ‘feelings’ as valid data, even when they’d proven correct every other time. It was there, but she had no idea how to find it, what it was, what it meant. Even an inkling …

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a ramshackle room like the common room of a decrepit fantasy inn. The benches and tables are battered and much mended, and the room itself is a foot deep in rubbish - food waste, broken containers, and indeterminate muck AI image

Committee

On October 20, 2024October 5, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

For all Raf had no time for committees or whatever else they tried to call themselves, he had to admit the Administrative Council of Forgotten did their job well. Largely because they stayed within their self-imposed label – administration. They didn’t try to rule, or police, or judge. When one of the criminal gangs from …

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a photo of two crystal whiskey tumblers, each with a measure of whisky over a single, large ice cube. They're probably on a polished dark wooden table such as you'd have in a wealthy man's study or library AI image

Negotiation

On October 13, 2024September 29, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

According to Phaedra, negotiation consisted entirely of playing one parent off against the other. But then, she’d never had a job Daddy hadn’t paid for. At the moment, she was an assistant communications executive at a PR firm that really didn’t have the time or energy for the lunches and chatty champagne hours Phaedra seemed …

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Two figures in grey hooded cloaks hiding in a rubbish-strewn alleyway at night in a fantasy city AI image

Ally

On October 6, 2024September 28, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Harte wasn’t so much a friend as an ally, but that potentially made him more useful in what was a tricky situation. Reba was about to step out and greet him, but Bryon put a hand on her arm, and gestured to the cat on his shoulders. Misty’s instinct for trouble, more specifically, her dislike …

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fantasy city at night - dark empty narrow street with looming grey stone buildings and clouds overhead AI image

Cooperative

On September 29, 2024September 14, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Reba spotted her apprentice’s signal from the shadows behind a pile of rotting barrels and beckoned him over. He ghosted across the street, a pulsing artery of the city’s merchant area in the day time, quiet as a tomb at night. Misty was draped across Byron’s shoulders, greeting Reba with a sharp-toothed yawn. She was …

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a table in a cafe with two black americano coffees and a sugar bowl AI image

Solve

On September 22, 2024September 14, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

“Why should I solve your problems? Again.” Ari sat back, trying to keep her expression cool and challenging instead of furious. Phaedre bit her lip, a singe tear trailing from one eye. “I didn’t mean to…” “You never do. And you never learn. It’s past time you grew up.” “But…” Ari stood. “No. I told …

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birthday gift wrapping half opened to display an ugly sweater in dull green with cable knit detail AI image

Voucher

On September 15, 2024July 28, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Livvy cringed and tried to smile at the sight of the too-bulky, too-short sweater. Knitted in Nan’s favourite squeaky polyester yarn in a particularly lurid shade of snot green. “Thanks Nan, I love it.” Why couldn’t she be more like Emily and Amanda’s Nan, who just gave them gift vouchers? Nan smiled, it lit up …

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an English country style kitchen with a large, old wooden table in the middle, set with mugs of tea and a chocolate fudge cake AI image

Awful

On September 8, 2024July 28, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

The front door slammed, Joy called out. “Tea and cake in the kitchen.” The magic mention of food brought two scowling teenagers to the huge, battered table in the middle of the back room. Joy left them to demolish most of the generous slices of chocolate fudge cake she’d served. Then, as the eating slowed …

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A long marble corridor in an imperial palace, with ornate pillars and windows overlooking a formal garden AI image

Minister

On September 1, 2024July 28, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Nathaniel Gracen, Imperial Prime Minister, hoped he looked calm as he walked down the endless corridor to the Dowager Empress’s apartments. Her Imperial Majesty did not have favourites among her grandchildren, except when she did, and everyone knew she saw a great deal of herself in Princess Isabella. Who was about to be married and …

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