Myra Jenkins, who makes candles and soaps for local fairs and farm shops, dropped by this morning with an idea that needed talking through. She sat at my kitchen table and drank tea while I dipped my own batch of beeswax candles. As always, she was full of suggestions for scents and colours to infuse …
There's a book called The 3am Epiphany, which sounds like some dodgy enlightenment book but is actually a bunch of writing exercises, this is exercise 151. Prince Kristoff from the neighbouring kingdom of Gavernia was visiting, accompanying his sister on what was ostensibly a marriage discussion but was doubtless an information-gathering exercise, to see how …
Welcome to the Advent Calendar Story Train, where you can read through 24 stories under this year's theme, Lost. The woods were quiet, just the gentle rustle of branches in the night breeze above, and the quiver of small creatures in the undergrowth. There was plenty of light, this wasn’t a dense forest, especially with …
They both woke late the next morning, stiff and sore, and hobbled out to take a fresh day’s view of the damage. Cadan was whisked off by the group setting off to assess the Castle bridge, despite the sling easing pressure on his shoulder. Samuel collared Eleanor as an assistant scribe, making lists of missing …
“But he never leaves his room, other than for meals and to go to school, it’s just not healthy. He’s a growing boy, he needs to get outside, run about, get muddy with other boys.” “Does he look unhealthy to you?” “Well, no, but…” “Have you ever actually been into his room?” “Certainly not, I …
Ingrid broke the spell between them. “While I’m glad these two are more-or-less whole, we still have damage to deal with. We’re going to need supplies, and soon. Who do we send to town? And how do we pay for the goods we’re going to need?” Sarah stood. “Questions for tomorrow, not tonight, and for …
Theo wound up his enthusiastic description of his employer with the emphatic, “He is a veritable prince among men.” Silence. And not of the awed variety. Eventually, one of the older men at the table in the corner said. “You’re not from round here are ya.” Theo’s face – never good at hiding his thoughts …
For those who've read Sackcloth and Sky, a scene from Zain's point of view... The boy put the bowl on Zain's desk, yet another time-wasting exercise from the kitchen. He had more important business than eating unappetising little snacks. He breathed in, a memory rose. One of the gruel Lyra would bring him during those …
I had things to do today, nothing earth shattering, just the weekly security report from Sir Scatterscurry, and jam-making. Of course I didn’t need a mouse with a sword and an over-developed sense of chivalry guarding my home, but his primary domain was the potting shed, and he did a lovely job of keeping my …
The dim, golden warmth of the bath house was almost painful after their trek. Sarah shooed them towards the mid-heat tubs. “Strip and in.” Evan was tending the fire. He made a point of turning his back to them and focusing on feeding wood to the flames. Eleanor was grateful for the courtesy but still …
The DNA of Stories 