I have been considering writing again for the first time in years, as most of my work has been kept private on my computer. I was analyzing the necessary components to draw the reader into the story, poem, etc., when I came across this question:

Where do famous authors find the quotations to begin their stories?

Personally, I find that a series of quotations or references can set the entire mood or tone of a piece. Several authors add these quotations into their work, such as Stephen King and Joe Ducie.

An example from Doctor Sleep by Stephen King:

"We stood at the turning point. Half measures availed us nothing."
-The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

or from Joe's work in the Opening Slavo of Distant Star:

"Yet lost to time, that dusty trail. A Hangman's noose – a rusty rail! The Never-King will command: Degradation's demise at hand?"
-The Historian of Future Prospect, After Madness, 2007

Where do author's find these types of quotations? Is there some great lexicon or compilation of quotes on the internet? If somebody could shed some light on this topic, it would be a great relief. I have been pondering this question for months, and after some great debate I finally decided to post it.

 

Heh, well, I actually stole the idea from King a'ways back in 2004, for the Hero Trilogy. And I think I was responsible for starting a steady decline there.

And as for that quote you posted from Distant Star, that's actually original. I wrote that.

 

Thanks Joe. I was reading Paradise Lost the other day, and realized that there could be another possibility: it will simply take time to note favorite passages in books to form my own library of valuable quotations.

 

I don't often use such quotations, but when I do this tends to be how I find them; random reading and something strikes a chord.

That said, I imagine it's not too hard to find something suitable for your needs. Just Google 'quots about x', and see what comes up. Just be sure to verify them before you air them in your work!