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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

Broken Promise

On November 24, 2021November 24, 2021 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, StoryLeave a comment

“But you promised.” “Yeah, but, you know, things came up. I’ll make it up to you babe, honest.” He wouldn’t, he never did, and now it was time to break one or two promises of her own. While he was busy not booking their dinner out for her birthday, she’d handed in notice on her …

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Discovery

On November 21, 2021November 21, 2021 By Kat RedfernIn Nightingale, StoryLeave a comment

The evening of the ball, the Shipwreck Villagers gathered on the galleon for a party of their own. Grigor suggested Leila bring her loom. She frowned in confusion. “Why?” He looked a little sheepish and said. “You sing when you’re working. If you bring your work, and sit so people aren’t fixing their attention on …

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The Forest God’s Servant

On November 14, 2021November 30, 2021 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, Story1 Comment

Unlikely Partners: Your main character is left in the forest to die, as the annual sacrifice to the god of the forest. The god shows up, but this year he is not interested in the death of his sacrifice. He is looking for a new servant and/or sidekick. Claudia kicked and strained at the bonds …

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New Neighbours

On November 7, 2021November 6, 2021 By Kat RedfernIn Nightingale, StoryLeave a comment

Leila and Marya walked home together, laughing over everything and nothing. They were stopped just outside the gate by a stone-faced soldier. “What is your business on the Governor’s estate?” Marya looked him up and down. “We live here.” “You’re not staff, please turn around and leave.” She spoke a little slower. “No. We live …

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Day Seven

On November 3, 2021November 3, 2021 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

I needed to deal with the ghost. She’d been in the spirit jar quite long enough and would hopefully be open to a little discussion on appropriate behaviour and how she found herself as a ghost in the first place. I took the jar into the back larder and laid it in a ward ring …

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The New Governor

On October 27, 2021October 27, 2021 By Kat RedfernIn Nightingale, StoryLeave a comment

Marya dashed from the bakery, skipping across the road to where Leila was waiting. "Did you hear? It IS going to be the Prince. We're going to have a royal governor." Leila replied. "Lady Oren told us when she came into the shop today. She's decided to leave the island, something about old ways and …

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Snow Dragon

On October 24, 2021October 24, 2021 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, StoryLeave a comment

The Snow Dragon: You are in the mountain forest when you come face to face with the snow dragon: an adorable, furry, and surprisingly tiny creature who breathes fire. I’m up in the forest above my town, one of my usual foraging expeditions. My garden’s herbs and other harvests are good, but wild-grown is better …

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Breaking Up Isn’t Hard to Do

On October 17, 2021October 17, 2021 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, Story1 Comment

“I just don’t like the idea of you keeping secrets from me.” she looked up at him with huge, sad eyes. “And you’re not keeping any from me?” Mira gaped at Roman. How on earth could he even think that? She loved him, she’d never hide anything from him. Except for maybe that little splurge …

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An Event’s Space

On October 13, 2021October 13, 2021 By Kat RedfernIn Story, Writing ExercisesLeave a comment

Another of the Steering the Craft exercises: The untold event: Give us a glimpse of the mood and nature of some event or deed by describing the place—room, rooftop, street, park, landscape, whatever—where it happened or is about to happen. The room was ready. Crisp, white cloths on the round tables, polished silverware and cut …

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Orders Received

On October 6, 2021October 5, 2021 By Kat RedfernIn Nightingale, StoryLeave a comment

A New Order Raoul sat back in his chair and surveyed his office with pride. It was exactly as it should be; a wall of bookshelves with important-looking tomes covering every inch, a sideboard along the opposite wall for when he needed refreshments for his important visitors and his desk in the middle of the …

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