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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: Story

A ball of wool, wooden knitting needles and knitting AI image

Knitting

On April 3, 2024March 23, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

Sarah handed her a little pot. “Have Cadan help you put this on before bed. It’s an easing salve for sore muscles. It'll leave your smock a little green, but we've got the big wash due for our household tomorrow. All the sheets and cloths, so it won't be a big addition and you're going …

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A fresh loaf of home-made sourdough bread with a soft golden glow around it AI image

Woods Cottage – Day 1

On March 27, 2024March 23, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

I was in my office (upstairs, computer, back door) when Sarah, the twelve-year-old from the Holmeshallow Farm family came pelting up the driveway. Unusual. She used to be running and skidding everywhere but got in with a new crowd at school, I’m told, and now it’s all about ‘the look’ and never being enthusiastic. I …

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A pretty blonde young woman in an old-style ballgown, holding an ornate evening fan in gold and pale green AI image

Distant

On March 24, 2024March 9, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Anya’s mother poked her in the back. “Go and greet your favourite cousin.” “How can she be my favourite cousin when she’s barely one at all? She’s some sort of fifth cousin, twice removed; and claiming we’re related will make me look like the worst sort of encroaching mushroom.” Lady Charlotte Fontenbras, granddaughter of the …

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A wooden board with chopped vegetables AI image

A Little Light Housework

On March 20, 2024March 9, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

Punching bread dough proved a very good way of working through the details of the previous two days and relating them to a sympathetic Sarah. At the end of Eleanor’s story, the older woman shook her head. “Well, all I can say is I’m glad it was our Cadan who walked through your door at …

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a farm with a cow for milking outside the old stone house AI image

Language

On March 17, 2024February 12, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

They went south. An easy decision since they spoke the language, although Byron was going to need to chisel the aristocratic edges off his accent. Not that Reba mentioned it. She just emphasised her way of pronouncing words every now and again, he caught on quickly. In the moments Bryon let himself be thirteen, he'd …

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An old stone barn in the woods, converted to a high end home with a lush garden Ideogram AI image

The Cottage in the Woods

On March 13, 2024February 12, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

My cottage is, of course, more than it appears. What’s the point of power if you can’t have a little fun with it from time to time? To start with, it’s not a cottage, it’s a converted barn. One of those huge old stone ones with walls two feet thick. If you come by way …

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A misty, mysterious lake with a stately home in the distance Scenario AI Image

Sick

On March 10, 2024February 12, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

“I think I’m going to be sick.” Piety did look unwell. Anya fetched the washbowl from its stand in the corner and set it on her friend’s lap. Then she sat beside her, not too close, just in case, and asked. “Why?” “Papa’s in a private meeting in his study with Lord Craigmore.” Anya frowned, …

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fantasy map of a city on an eastern coast with mountains to the west and land stretching out of bounds of the map to the north and south AI image

Mutter

On March 3, 2024January 29, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Bryon returned with the city guards behind him. The guard captain looked over their captured quarry, then asked. “Any reason you’ve gagged Prince Grayden, as well as trussed him like a pig for the spit?” Reba tried to look bored. “He kept trying to do deals with me. Said I could take my lad there,” …

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narrow. winding English country lane with high banks and hedgerows on each side AI image

Finding the Cottage in the Woods

On February 28, 2024January 29, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, Story1 Comment

When you’re driving out of Market Dingley, towards Wiggleswick, and take the next left after the Horseman’s Head, you’ll find yourself on a winding country lane. Just the type you see in any crime show set in rural England, just to remind you that, yes, you are in rural England, not downtown Los Angeles, or …

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a grey and dark back alley in a fantasy town with a single lantern over one wide wooden door AI image

Complication

On February 25, 2024January 22, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Reba tensed at the sound of running feet, headed her way. Beside her, Byron pulled his scarf up to cover his nose and mouth. Between that and his deep hood, you could barely tell there was a person in the shadow. A figure appeared at the end of the road they’d been assigned. He probably …

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