“Throughout my career I’ve lived in constant fear that I wouldn’t be good enough, that I’d have nothing to say, that I’d be laughed at, humiliated—and I’m old enough to know that fear will follow me to the very last word I’ll ever write. As for now, I feel the first itch of the novel I’m supposed to write—the grain of sand that irritates the soft tissues of the oyster. The beginning of the world as I don’t quite know it. But I trust I’ll begin to know it soon.”

American author, late 20th century

Pat Conroy was an American author of the late 20th century, known for his novels and memoirs. His books include The Water Is Wide, The Lords of Discipline, The Prince of Tides, and The Great Santini. Several of his works were adapted for film, and The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini received Oscar nominations. He is regarded as a leading figure in late 20th century American Southern literature, writing about the region and its people with a strong sense of place.