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

Another Change

On February 6, 2022February 6, 2022 By Kat RedfernIn Nightingale, StoryLeave a comment

Juanita raised a brow when Xavier sidled into her kitchen in Marya’s wake. Her second brow went up when Timon raced through the front door, spotted Leila and his daughter, and sagged in relief. “I’ve been hearing such stories.” He straightened and eyed Xavier. “Are you the lad who was harassing Leila, or are you …

Continue reading Another Change

The First Time It Happened

On February 2, 2022February 2, 2022 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, StoryLeave a comment

The first time it happened, I was sitting under the kitchen table. It was a good place for a small child in a busy household. Out of the way, unseen, but aware of all the goings-on. So anyway, the first time. It was a holiday, so I wasn’t at school and the kitchen was full …

Continue reading The First Time It Happened

Cafe Meeting

On January 30, 2022September 13, 2022 By Kat RedfernIn Alternate Energy Artefacts, StoryLeave a comment

Emrys walked through the station, making for the café he preferred to use for initial contact meetings. It was public, busy, and open. So, anonymous in a way that only hiding in plain sight could manage. He was in there often enough that all it took was a nod to the people behind the counter …

Continue reading Cafe Meeting

Consequences

On January 23, 2022January 23, 2022 By Kat RedfernIn Nightingale, StoryLeave a comment

Xavier accompanied her to her home, then continued on to the galleon with Marya. It was a tense, quiet walk. Marya asked. "Are you going to go back tomorrow?" Leila nodded. "I have to." Marya tensed. "What did he say? He might be the prince but he can't force you into doing anything." Leila summoned …

Continue reading Consequences

From the Kitchen of Mama J

On January 19, 2022January 19, 2022 By Kat RedfernIn Story, Writing ExercisesLeave a comment

Another exercise from Steering the Craft, this one playing with tenses and perspectives. Which version do you prefer? Third person, all past tense Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Janice logged in to the blog she’d created all by herself and hit the ‘new post’ button. This week’s recipe ‘From the …

Continue reading From the Kitchen of Mama J

Day Eight

On January 16, 2022January 16, 2022 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

After all the excitement I decided a quiet, at-home day was on the cards the next morning. Chloe had left me a message in the crystal ball. She’d gone up to the tower to visit Ulfgar and I supposed I should follow her up there later. Or not. I sipped my morning cup of tea …

Continue reading Day Eight

Rescue Hellhound

On January 9, 2022January 9, 2022 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, StoryLeave a comment

Writing Prompt: You found an abandoned puppy on the side of the road and took it home to keep as a pet. It wasn't until it started to sprout horns did you realise you, unwittingly, adopted a hellhound. It was the eyes, reflecting red in my headlights that caught me. Of course I had to …

Continue reading Rescue Hellhound

Upheaval

On January 5, 2022January 5, 2022 By Kat RedfernIn Nightingale, StoryLeave a comment

Leila twisted her hands into her skirt and looked around the pretty wooden summer house she stood in. Prince Andreas watched her in turn. She wasn’t sure what he was looking for. She turned to take it all in. The walls of the house were an airy lacework of carvings and whimsical pictures. In truth, …

Continue reading Upheaval

A Conversation with Hope

On January 2, 2022January 2, 2022 By Kat RedfernIn Story, Writing ExercisesLeave a comment

Daniel staggered into the bare, single room of his home, leaning back against the rickety wooden door and groaning. A movement by the fireplace caught his eye and he groaned again. “Really? Can’t you go and be inspirational at someone else tonight? I’m exhausted.” Hope rose and drifted towards him. “It is when you’re at …

Continue reading A Conversation with Hope

Faith

On December 26, 2021December 26, 2021 By Kat RedfernIn Random Fiction, Story2 Comments

Faith waved, smiled and closed the door on the little group who’d decided it would be highly original to serenade her with the George Michael song all the way home from the pub. She wondered what was involved in a legal name change but knew it wouldn’t be worth the effort unless she did a …

Continue reading Faith

Posts navigation

Older posts
Newer posts

Categories

  • Story (555)
  • 10 Minute Sprints (108)
  • Random Fiction (96)
  • Thrushbeard (76)
  • Writing Exercises (57)

Tags

  • Fantasy (104)
  • 10 Minute Sprints (99)
  • Story Prompt (86)
  • contemporary (71)
  • Historical (52)

Year

  • 2026 (55)
  • 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 125 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...