I meet kids now who become novelists, poets, write for the theater and movies, who were simply inspired by what they saw during the Spoleto Festival.

Without music, life is a journey through a desert.

It's impossible to explain to a Yankee what 'tacky' is. They simply have no word for it up north, but my God, do they ever need one.

I was born and raised on a Carolina sea island and I carried the sunshine of the low-country, inked in dark gold, on my back and shoulders.

I’ve never had anyone’s approval, so I’ve learned to live without it.

The most powerful words in English are, 'Tell me a story.'

Here is all I ask of a book- give me everything. Everything, and don't leave out a single word.

I stood face to face with the moon and the ocean and the future that spread out with all its bewildering immensity before me.

Good writing ... involves the agony of turning profoundly difficult thoughts into lucid form, then forcing them into the tight-fitting uniform of language, making them visible and clear.

There is no teacher more discriminating or transforming than loss.

The great teachers fill you up with hope and shower you with a thousand reasons to embrace all aspects of life.

To make your Opinion Count, you have to do something morethan just making Money.

If you don't have a smile, I'll give you one of mine.

When you decide where you turn next in life, look beyond your thoughts, do not trust your emotions, and listen to your heart.

I was not crying - eyes water. I think we all know I'm a badass and I don't cry. - Caleb

A man's own conscience is his sole tribunal, and he should care no more for that phantom "opinion" than he should fear meeting a ghost if he crossed the churchyard at dark.

I’ve never wanted to meet anyone I’ve been introduced to. I want to meet all the other people.

I will do those things which make me happy today and which I can also live with ten years from now.

Take your passion and make it happen.

He who hesitates is sometimes wise.