Including a quotation database or two in your bag of writing tricks will serve a multitude of purposes.  With thoughtful selection, the use of quotations can deepen the meaning in your message and create a shared connection to the wisdom of the person quoted.  The very act of reading through quotations can develop mental focus and inspiration for the writing task at hand.  And reading humorous or witty quotations is just plain fun.  But when used in your writing, they too should be relevant and to the point. 

My personal use of quotations varies depending on my level of creative flow or block.  I may browse quotation databases to find something specifically appropriate to my subject, like art or writing or love.  Sometimes I look for quotations within broad categories, such as humor or inspiration.  I often just randomly browse quotations, knowing I will intuitively unearth the gem that will pull it all together and get my creative juices flowing.
 

A quotation may be used standalone for effect, as at the beginning of this section, or woven into a sentence or paragraph as I did the Mark Twain comment in the introduction.  Like Ray Bradbury's description of life, it's a process of "trying things to see if they work."  But however and wherever you use them, be sure to credit the author.

 

The Heartful Village blog has links to several good quotation databases.  Click here to check them out.

 

And quotations are now an option with Heartful Village printed cards.  Click here to browse the current selection.

I hope you find this helpful.