Q: Quotations

My theme for the A to Z Blogging Challenge this year is a mishmash of books, movies, writers and TV shows that have in one way or another taught me something about writing and helped me be a better writer. Some inspired my own stories and a few taught me what not to do. Each post is a one minute lesson on writing. And thanks for also keeping up with the A to Z Challenge posts on the IWSG blog where we're sharing an alphabet's worth of inspiration and encouragement.

At a recent writer's meeting, one of my friends said they'd like to be more active on Twitter but they just didn't any idea what to say. They didn't want to just go on and spam their book. What to share? I like to share links to other blogs or articles of interest but some days I share a quote that I like for one reason or another. My regular readers know I have shared quotes from The Old Farmer's Almanac but I have to come with more than those. I often browse through those clearance shelves at BAM and B&N, looking for reference books I can use. (Like I need more books, but I can't resist.) One of the cheap books I picked up months ago is Classic Quotations. It's filled with amusing, inspiring and provocative quotes from historic and

contemporary people of fame and infamy. I mentioned on 'A' day that The Art of War by Sun Tzu is also a great place to harvest a few good quotes. Or you can just google quotes from a movie, a book, a person and find something you'll probably like and can use to fill your blog or make your Facebook or Twitter feed interesting and perhaps a start of a conversation.

Lesson: Quotes make great conversation starters on social media. Adding quotes inform your readers a little bit about you by what you select. Sometimes clever people say things that you completely agree with but they say it so much better than you can. Use their words with proper credit to them. Only use quotes, not an entire passage or poem. That's usually illegal.

This quote is for me as I push myself to exercise every day.
"Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations."  Faith Baldwin

But I'm not really upset about aging but The Bard says it better.
"With mirth and laughter let old winkles come."  William Shakespeare

And for all us getting so much out of A to Z this month.
"The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can teak it away from you."  B.B. King

Do you ever use quotes on your social media feeds? Are you learning some things from A to Z? Do you troll through the clearance sections at bookstores? Do you sometimes re-tweet quotes that hit a cord with you?