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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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Tag: Fantasy

a basket full of homespun wool in natural-dyed shades of yellow and green, the basket sits in the corner of a cottage room with wooden floors and stone walls AI image

Spinning Tales

On November 20, 2024November 8, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

Sarah removed the bandages and paste after lunch. Eleanor’s hands were noticeably better, less swollen, less pink. Sarah said. “My burn paste is best applied overnight, but this will see you through to bedtime. Put some of that soothing salve on your palms and I’ll re-wrap them but we’ll leave your fingers free so you …

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wellferns on a sunny windowsill AI image

Woods Cottage – Day 9

On November 13, 2024October 26, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

I was repotting young Ben's wellfern - he's growing like nobody's business just now, so naturally the plant assigned to monitoring his health is putting out new shoots, and roots, all but cracking its pot in response. I had it happily re-planted in a wide wooden tub on the windowsill of my still room, and …

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An illustration of a gryphon lying on a vegetable garden, squashing the cabbages AI image

Sore Hands

On October 30, 2024October 26, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

She followed him out and found both Sarah and Matthew preparing for the day. Sarah smiled and said. “Can you get the bread?” Cadan made for the fire nook, grabbing a cloth on the way. “Not with your hands in that state, Nora.” “They’re fine.” She stalked over to the pantry, only to find the …

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a sink in stark white counter on one side of a scientific laboratory, the sink is piled high with dirty beakers AI image

Remark

On October 27, 2024October 5, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Myra stared back at the silent group in the common room, daring them to remark on her appearance. No one took up her silent challenge until Jaxon walked in. “What the hell are you wearing, Mys?” “A dress.” “That’s a little more than a dress. You planning on infiltrating the Ruler’s ball or something?” “Yes.” …

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a ramshackle room like the common room of a decrepit fantasy inn. The benches and tables are battered and much mended, and the room itself is a foot deep in rubbish - food waste, broken containers, and indeterminate muck AI image

Committee

On October 20, 2024October 5, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

For all Raf had no time for committees or whatever else they tried to call themselves, he had to admit the Administrative Council of Forgotten did their job well. Largely because they stayed within their self-imposed label – administration. They didn’t try to rule, or police, or judge. When one of the criminal gangs from …

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An old carved wooden chest in the bedroom of a wood and stone cottage from a fantasy tale, lit by a single oil lamp. The chest is about 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide and has clean laundry bundled into it AI image

Exhaustion

On October 16, 2024October 5, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

Sarah looked up from grinding something in a small stone mortar. “Matthew sent word they’re caught at a treefall on the castle road. Normally he and Cadan make up the beds but they won’t be home before we’re asleep, if at all, tonight. Best to make yours now, so you can tumble straight in after …

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Two figures in grey hooded cloaks hiding in a rubbish-strewn alleyway at night in a fantasy city AI image

Ally

On October 6, 2024September 28, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Harte wasn’t so much a friend as an ally, but that potentially made him more useful in what was a tricky situation. Reba was about to step out and greet him, but Bryon put a hand on her arm, and gestured to the cat on his shoulders. Misty’s instinct for trouble, more specifically, her dislike …

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oil painting of a woman with long brown hair in a cherry red overcoat walking down a rainy street in Paris at night AI image

Woods Cottage – Day 8

On October 2, 2024September 28, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn One Day at a Thyme, StoryLeave a comment

My plans for the morning took an unexpected turn when Jason Bandswich from the Manor called. Not that it’s unusual for him to call, he’s a sweet boy, an American tech genius who sold something terribly clever for a ridiculous amount of money and decided to take a break from ‘the scene’ by exploring his …

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fantasy city at night - dark empty narrow street with looming grey stone buildings and clouds overhead AI image

Cooperative

On September 29, 2024September 14, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn 10 Minute Sprints, StoryLeave a comment

Reba spotted her apprentice’s signal from the shadows behind a pile of rotting barrels and beckoned him over. He ghosted across the street, a pulsing artery of the city’s merchant area in the day time, quiet as a tomb at night. Misty was draped across Byron’s shoulders, greeting Reba with a sharp-toothed yawn. She was …

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a cockatrice in a dark forest AI image

A Difficult Afternoon

On September 18, 2024September 14, 2024 By Kat RedfernIn Story, ThrushbeardLeave a comment

Maggie raised a brow at Eleanor who was trying to work out how to carry both clean clothes and dirty without transferring the problems of one to the other, then held out her basket. “Pop your muddy ones in here, and we’ll get to scrubbing.” They followed a swaggering Martha into the bath house, where …

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