Quote it? Maybe not.

We're always tempted to put lots of direct quotes in our stories. It doesn't help that some editors can't get enough of them.

But beware. Direct quotes should be saved for illumination or to punctuate a point. Every source speaks in the colloquial at some point. She'll tell a story, maybe draw a picture with words. That's when you use a direct quote.

I've seen writers liberally use direct quotes from the subject to write a profile. The quotes become cumbersome, and frankly, make for a boring story. Two thousand words of someone talking about every job they ever had is not going to keep the reader engaged. Use words in your literary arsenal to take control of the story; don't let the subject control the tale.

Just remember, "no comment" does not warrant a direct quote. "Get off my porch before I call the law" might.