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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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To Fairfield Manor

On October 25, 2023October 1, 2023 By Kat RedfernIn Great Aunt Muriel's Bequest, StoryLeave a comment

The following morning, Eva returned from the buffet table to find a man sitting in her seat and laughing a bit too heartily at something her mother had just said. Her father looked up. “And here she is now. Evangelina, do you remember your Uncle Dominic?” Her full name only got used when her father …

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The Strangwolf

On October 22, 2023October 1, 2023 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, StoryLeave a comment

Zara pulled the shop door closed and locked it, then wove through the shoppers still crowding the merchant district. As she waited for the street stall vendor to wrap her order for dinner – two stuffed pastries, one savoury, one sweet – she scanned the news sheets pinned to a rickety wooden noticeboard between two …

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Spontaneous

On October 15, 2023October 21, 2023 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

“It’s a beautiful day, let’s go on a picnic!” Braedon looked out at the golden sun and clear blue sky, then back at his beaming wife. “It’s already 30 degrees out there and it’s not yet nine. We’ll cook.” “We’ll go to the lake.” “Along with half the rest of town. The others will be …

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Swamp Cottage – Round 2 – Day 5

On October 11, 2023October 1, 2023 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

I popped into town today. I needed jars and sealing wax for my upcoming jam-making marathon, and the potter had sent word he'd completed firing on a batch exactly to my specifications. I walked up the hill from the little dock I preferred to use when using the boat and made my way down the …

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Splitting Up

On October 8, 2023October 1, 2023 By Kat RedfernIn Random FictionLeave a comment

The rumbling eased and the cascade of rocks settled, dust hovering in the air above. Grey called from the far side of the fall. “Captain?” His voice was shrill, terror coating the single world. Justin kept hold of Marie but shifted to call back. “We’re alright. You?” Grey’s voice dropped an octave. “Sara’s hurt her …

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Overnight Accommodation

On October 4, 2023October 1, 2023 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

The cart clattered through the east gate and onto the Tradeway. Her companion had been right, there were people coming and going on the road even at this time, many with lanterns. It was more than bright enough to see, and busy enough to keep any but the most mischief-bound kelpies away. She pulled at …

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London

On September 27, 2023September 3, 2023 By Kat RedfernIn Great Aunt Muriel's Bequest, StoryLeave a comment

That evening, she arrived at the restaurant to find Becky waiting for her. They both pretended Eva’s eyes weren’t swollen from crying as they hugged and settled in to a comfortable table with a good view of the room. She brought her friend up to speed on her whirlwind twenty-four hours and ended with. “So …

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Departure

On September 20, 2023September 3, 2023 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

She stood back. “Very well. Am I allowed to change? It would be a little inconsiderate to hand a man a wife and have her perish of the cold in the same night.” Her mother choked on a sob behind her. “Nora, darling.” She held her father’s gaze. He jerked a nod. “Be quick. I’m …

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The Tripartite Goddess

On September 17, 2023September 3, 2023 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, StoryLeave a comment

Let me tell you what I did. I took it, didn’t I? I took that damn stone and ran. Took the divine stone of the Kingslander kings straight out of the middle of their treasure vault and legged it. Should have known something was up when I managed to get out of the castle without …

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The Wooden Egg

On September 10, 2023September 3, 2023 By Kat RedfernIn Story, Writing ExercisesLeave a comment

An exercise to come up with three ways of looking at a wooden egg. One Sam unlocked the door to her apartment and slipped inside. Safe. She’d made it through another encounter with her family with nothing more than the usual emotional guilt-trips and had managed to not ‘accidentally’ bump into Wayne on the second …

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Sackcloth and Sky by Kat Redfern
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