Interview with Bretton Loney

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Author InterviewBretton Loney of Halifax, Nova Scotia, is the author of The Beggar’s Shoe Box, the story won second place in Quarter Castle Publishing’s first short story writing contest.

Recently Quarter Castle Publishing interviewed Bretton.

Interview Questions

QCP: When did you decide to become a writer?

I decided to become a journalist first. I decided to become a journalist during my first undergraduate degree at the University of Lethbridge and joined the student newspaper. From my late teens on, I thought about becoming a writer but didn’t seriously think about it until my late 20s. I didn’t really act upon it until my early 30s.

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Introducing Bretton Loney

/ Diane / 2 Comments

Bretton Loney of Halifax, Nova Scotia, is the author of The Beggar’s Show Box, the story won second place in Quarter Castle Publishing’s first short story writing contest.

Here’s a sample from the short story.

Aside from the shoe box, he didn’t stand out from other beggars downtown. He rattled coins around in a Tim Horton’s cup, muttering, “spare some change,” in a scratchy voice as he sat cross-legged on the sidewalk.

I had walked past him and was heading down the street when a friend, Diane, called out my name. I turned and waved. The beggar pulled a shoe box from a gym bag by his side, opened it and took out a slip of paper. He scribbled one word on it with a stubby pencil, put the lid on and slid the box into the bag.

I wouldn’t have given it another thought if not for the way he did it: like a miser stashing his gold.

I started to notice him after that day. He was tall and lanky, and always wore a red Hawaiian shirt and stained ball cap. He sat in the shade of a provincial building in the mornings and on other corners near my office later in the day.

When he thought no one was looking, he would pull out the black shoe box, take out pieces of paper and write frantically for a few seconds. Then he’d put them back in the box and bag in one smooth motion.

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In Hants Craft Show

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The In Hants Craft Show starts today and continues until Sunday evening. This is a large craft show with items by 50 local crafters. The show was featured on Canada Am on Thursday.

Admission is FREE, as is the door prize ticket and the tea/coffee and snacks. They accept cash, debit and credit cards. Tell your friends, stop in for a tea and cookie and do a little shopping.

Hours of Operation

  • Friday November 6: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
  • Saturday November 7: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Sunday November 8: 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Directions

Milford Recreation Hall (behind the Milford Volunteer Fire Department), 2288 Highway 2, Milford Station, Hants County, NS.

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Interview with Ashleigh Rajala

/ Diane / 3 Comments

Author InterviewAshleigh Rajala of New Westminster, British Columbia, is the author of Working Title, the winning submission in Quarter Castle Publishing’s first short story writing contest.

Recently Quarter Castle Publishing interviewed Ashleigh.

QCP: When did you decide to become a writer?

Ashleigh: I remember a moment as a book-obsessed child where I realized that someone created those books and that I too could do that. The first story I wrote was about a dinosaur, and my mum sewed a cover onto it and everything. Sadly, this opus has been lost to history. So I never really decided, it was just something I have always done.

QCP: Do you write every day? If not, how many days do you dedicate to writing?

Ashleigh: I write every day. Sometimes life gets in the way, but that’s okay. But I try to never let myself stop if I’m feeling blocked or less than motivated. I set a goal of 1000 words per day. It can be anything: part of a novel, a short story, a blog post, or even just an exercise. For me, the more I write, the more I want to keep writing. An object in motion…

QCP: Do you use an outline or do you write free style?

Ashleigh: I almost always use an outline. I think an outline is an example of one of those times where having limits opens you up creatively. Free-style can seem overwhelming and near-paralyzing in the possibilities open to you.

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Introducing Ashleigh Rajala

/ Diane / 1 Comment

Ashleigh Rajala of New Westminster, British Columbia, is the author of Working Title, the winning submission in Quarter Castle Publishing’s first short story writing contest.

Here’s a sample from the short story.

We fade in as the sun sets. In Hollywood, they call this “Magic Hour”. It’s brief but timeless in that way so few things are. The first we will see of Nick is a thirty-five-year-old man: some wrinkles but ultimately boyish. The production company ensnared a former portrayer of superhero sidekicks and sex-obsessed teens. “Nick” is the actor’s chance for emotional redemption, career resurgence, even an awards show run, perhaps. So Nick is now tall, dark, bankable and far-more handsome than he should be.

But in this world of magic hours he is awkward and pitiable. We know this because his suit is wrinkled and mismatched. He is wearing it only because it would not fit in his backpack. That lumbering thing pokes out over his head; it contains everything he still wants in the world.

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Market Day

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Quarter Castle Publishing will attend the Musquodoboit Harbour Farmers’ Market on Sunday November 1st at the Bingo Hall at the Eastern Shore Community Centre (‘The Rink’), 67 Park Road, Musquodoboit Harbour, Halifax County, NS. The event takes place from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.Musquodoboit Harbour 2015 10 25 Throw Away Kitten

To keep up-to-date on all the events we attend, check out Events page.

Please drop by our table and say hello.

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The Market Today

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It was a wonderful autumn day to be at the Musquodoboit Harbour Farmers’ Market. The live music set the scene for family, friends and neighbours to enjoy the atmosphere and many wonders at the market. Fresh, pesticide-free vegetables, grass-fed beef, homemade maple-flavoured bacon, delicious croissants, amazing homemade doughnuts, preserves, recycled wool hats and mitts and many more wonderful things are at the market each week.

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Farmers’ Market

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Quarter Castle Publishing will attend the Musquodoboit Harbour Farmers’ Market taking place at the Bingo Hall, Eastern Shore Community Centre (‘The Rink’), 67 Park Road, Musquodoboit Harbour, Halifax County, NS. The event takes place from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

To keep up to date on all the events we attend, check out Events page.

Please drop by our table and say hello.

The following books will be available for purchase:

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Make it Merry Market

/ Diane / 2 Comments

Quarter Castle Publishing will attend the Make it Merry Craft Market taking place at Enfield Fire Hall, 273 Highway 2, Enfield, Hants County, NS. The event takes place from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

To keep up to date on all the events we attend, check out Events page.

Please drop by our table and say hello.

The following books will be available for purchase:

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Throw Away Kitten Now Available

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The youth novel (age 6 to 11), Throw Away Kitten by Candy McMudd is now available in paperback and eBook.

Summary: Charlie McBean has always dreamt of a kitten of his own, but he’s already ten and doesn’t have one. His family moves from the city to an old farm house where he discovers a box of kittens left in his neighbour’s yard.

When his neighbour says he’ll take the throw-away kittens to the shelter, Charlie and his sister Cavell volunteer to find homes for them. As potential owners start to arrive to see the kittens, Charlie worries his plan of keeping one for himself will fail.

About the Author: Candy McMudd lives in Nova Scotia where she loves exploring beaches, gathering colourful stones and rescuing hermit crabs. She was inspired to write her first novel  Mystery Light in Cranberry Cove because of the high adventures she enjoyed in her childhood on the seashore.

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Artisan Spring Fair

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Quarter Castle Publishing will attend the Artisan Spring Fair at Cole Harbour Place on Sunday March 29, 2015. The facility was upgraded in the late 1980s. Before then it was called Scotia Stadium, and many great skaters used the single ice surface, including NHL-star Sydney Crosby.

The event runs form 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. Please drop by our table if you attend the show.

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