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I am very grateful for the outpouring of praise for my latest book my memoir about my life with Pat Conroy TELL ME A STORY. I’d like you all to know that I read everyone of them and the private messages. Until recently (about beginning of March 2020) I was on an extensive book tour where I tried to meet as many of you, my wonderful readers, as I could… Sadly, the world has taken a scary turn; my prayers are with all of you…
112 entries.
wrote on April 22, 2021
at
6:28 pm
Dear Cassandra,
I was so moved by Tell Me a Story, and I'm so grateful you wrote and shared it. Your compassion infused each page, whether you were recounting hilarious moments or heartbreaking ones.
I lost both my parents within three months of one another (my dad to pancreatic cancer). My mom, with one of her few but final pieces of advice said, "Have faith in yourself. And do what I would want you to do." She knew that faith in myself was often hard to come by, and following her guidance, even when she would no longer be there, would be easier.
I think your husband would have been so proud of your book. I'm glad he's in your writing room with you.
I had the great pleasure of meeting him once. I'd been a big fan for many years and was so excited to see him speak at an old church outside Chicago during his Death of Santini book tour. I am shy with those I admire, but I forced myself to stand in line for a signing after his talk. The line was long and I kept thinking he must be exhausted, and so I wanted to keep my comments to the very briefest when I met him.
When it was finally my turn, I approached hesitantly and mumbled something about how much I enjoy his work. Somehow I also mentioned that I like to write and that he'd been an inspiration.
He beamed at me and asked me about my writing. He took time to inscribe the book. I remember telling him that I liked his narration of My Reading Life. He said that he hated his own voice. I told him that I didn't, and that I could hear his voice while I read his work. I didn't want to keep him. I told him that he was a treasure and I thanked him. As I walked away, he called to me.
"Andy," he said. I turned. "Let me know if you get your book published. I'll remember you. I can be your first blurb."
Just like I didn't like finishing his books because they would be over (same with Tell Me a Story), I didn't want to read his inscription right away. I waited until I got home and sat down at my desk. You've probably seen the words he wrote before: "For the love of writing. Go deeper. Go even deeper." Those words stay with me always.
I did write up my encounter with him that very night and submitted it to a literary magazine that had published a couple of my stories. They had asked for a piece about me, and instead I told them about my meeting with your husband. I intentionally left out the part about the blurb, which might be my favorite part, for fear that if they published it and someone read it, they might bug him for a blurb. It was fun to read in your book about how much joy he derived from helping starting authors.
My essay was published, and if you'd like to read it, let me know.
I look forward to reading more of your work. Thank you so much,
Andy Millman
I was so moved by Tell Me a Story, and I'm so grateful you wrote and shared it. Your compassion infused each page, whether you were recounting hilarious moments or heartbreaking ones.
I lost both my parents within three months of one another (my dad to pancreatic cancer). My mom, with one of her few but final pieces of advice said, "Have faith in yourself. And do what I would want you to do." She knew that faith in myself was often hard to come by, and following her guidance, even when she would no longer be there, would be easier.
I think your husband would have been so proud of your book. I'm glad he's in your writing room with you.
I had the great pleasure of meeting him once. I'd been a big fan for many years and was so excited to see him speak at an old church outside Chicago during his Death of Santini book tour. I am shy with those I admire, but I forced myself to stand in line for a signing after his talk. The line was long and I kept thinking he must be exhausted, and so I wanted to keep my comments to the very briefest when I met him.
When it was finally my turn, I approached hesitantly and mumbled something about how much I enjoy his work. Somehow I also mentioned that I like to write and that he'd been an inspiration.
He beamed at me and asked me about my writing. He took time to inscribe the book. I remember telling him that I liked his narration of My Reading Life. He said that he hated his own voice. I told him that I didn't, and that I could hear his voice while I read his work. I didn't want to keep him. I told him that he was a treasure and I thanked him. As I walked away, he called to me.
"Andy," he said. I turned. "Let me know if you get your book published. I'll remember you. I can be your first blurb."
Just like I didn't like finishing his books because they would be over (same with Tell Me a Story), I didn't want to read his inscription right away. I waited until I got home and sat down at my desk. You've probably seen the words he wrote before: "For the love of writing. Go deeper. Go even deeper." Those words stay with me always.
I did write up my encounter with him that very night and submitted it to a literary magazine that had published a couple of my stories. They had asked for a piece about me, and instead I told them about my meeting with your husband. I intentionally left out the part about the blurb, which might be my favorite part, for fear that if they published it and someone read it, they might bug him for a blurb. It was fun to read in your book about how much joy he derived from helping starting authors.
My essay was published, and if you'd like to read it, let me know.
I look forward to reading more of your work. Thank you so much,
Andy Millman
wrote on April 20, 2021
at
5:24 pm
I just finished Tell Me A Story, I loved every page laughter and tears are all the emotions I went through. God bless you for writing this book.
wrote on March 15, 2021
at
3:21 pm
To everything there is a time and a season. I purchased a copy of Tell Me A Story at the Bookmark, Neptune Beach, Fla. on November 15, 2019, when you spoke there. This January 11, I went to be with my daughter to help after her surgery.
I grabbed your book remembering it and thinking it had only been purchased maybe 6 months back. I was there for 7 weeks and now after returning to the beach, finished it only moments ago.
Shirley passed away October 1, 2014 after 42 and 1/2 years of marriage. We started dating for 2 and 1/2 years when she was 17. Before that we were the new kids at school with her family moving from Birmingham and mine from Richmond. We met and immediately became friends for two years before dating. Charles Martin's book, When Crickets Cry, was recommend to me by a councilor four years ago. It touched my heart. Yours did too. My story is different than yours, but in you telling yours, it helped move me further along. Thank you for sharing your story. It's beautiful.
I grabbed your book remembering it and thinking it had only been purchased maybe 6 months back. I was there for 7 weeks and now after returning to the beach, finished it only moments ago.
Shirley passed away October 1, 2014 after 42 and 1/2 years of marriage. We started dating for 2 and 1/2 years when she was 17. Before that we were the new kids at school with her family moving from Birmingham and mine from Richmond. We met and immediately became friends for two years before dating. Charles Martin's book, When Crickets Cry, was recommend to me by a councilor four years ago. It touched my heart. Yours did too. My story is different than yours, but in you telling yours, it helped move me further along. Thank you for sharing your story. It's beautiful.
wrote on February 25, 2021
at
12:14 am
I recently finished Tell Me a Story and The Sunday Wife, (which my wife got me for Christmas at my request ), just before going on my annual golf trip reunion with my best friends from high school in the late 60’s, also my roommates in college at FSU in the early 70s. I turned them on to the books and for the first time ever we had a book discussion on our trip. Since all of us grew up in the Florida portion of LA, the book really hit home in terms of venue and subject matter.
We all grew up in the church. (I had two aunts who were Sunday Wives). I now have two authors whose books I cannot put down although I do not want them to end. Cassandra, you know who the other one is. Same Sweet Girls just arrived in the mail and seems like the logical next step. God bless you Cassandra King Conroy.
We all grew up in the church. (I had two aunts who were Sunday Wives). I now have two authors whose books I cannot put down although I do not want them to end. Cassandra, you know who the other one is. Same Sweet Girls just arrived in the mail and seems like the logical next step. God bless you Cassandra King Conroy.
wrote on February 22, 2021
at
6:04 am
Well, you certainly told me a story and my gritty burning eyes are testament to the hours I spent on a ringside seat to your life with Pat Conroy. I read all his books when they were published but they have faded into a background of thousands of characters, books and stories read since then. I cannot wait to reread them, especially now with the insight from Tell me a Story. Thank you Cassandra.
wrote on February 14, 2021
at
7:39 pm
Tell Me a Story... your memoir was so beautifully written. You had me in stitches giggling, in tears crying and in awe of your beautiful love story. I cannot tell you how moved I was with your writing. Several chapters and sections I would read again and again because they were so lovely: It has been some time since a novel has moved me so much, I didn’t want it to end. Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories and I pray you continue to tell stories.
wrote on January 13, 2021
at
10:06 pm
Mr. Conroy was my all-time favorite author. I read and reread all of his books several times. Getting to meet and chat with him was a highlight of my life. I just finished reading Tell Me A Story, which is now my favorite love story of all time. I cannot thank you enough Mr. and Mrs. Conroy. My prayers are with you
wrote on October 25, 2020
at
8:49 am
Just finished Cassandra’s book this morning 😢. We were blessed to be with him in October before his death.
wrote on October 19, 2020
at
2:20 pm
I was browsing the new book section and found your book, TELL ME A STORY. I was a fan of Pat’s from the moment a client gave me a copy of his BEACH MUSIC. Although I knew of PRINCE OF TIDES from the movie, I had never read any of his books. I fell in love with his characters and the area of which he wrote about. I devoured each one I could find.
I was saddened and devastated to hear of his death. My own father died when I was four from pancreatic cancer.
Your book gave me a new perspective of the man and his life and I am so grateful you told your story! Thank you for the many laughs, along with your sorrows. I can’t imagine how hard it was to tell this story.
I’m on the way to my library to check out two of your books that are available now and I hope to read them all in the future!
Take care of yourself during this pandemic and I’m hoping we are all here to tell future generations about how we got through it together.
I was saddened and devastated to hear of his death. My own father died when I was four from pancreatic cancer.
Your book gave me a new perspective of the man and his life and I am so grateful you told your story! Thank you for the many laughs, along with your sorrows. I can’t imagine how hard it was to tell this story.
I’m on the way to my library to check out two of your books that are available now and I hope to read them all in the future!
Take care of yourself during this pandemic and I’m hoping we are all here to tell future generations about how we got through it together.
wrote on September 15, 2020
at
11:02 am
Hope all is well. How I came to read your and Pat’s books is totally based on visiting the Low Country and renting homes in Beaufort. Hopeful to visit once again once COVID virus comes to pass. Really enjoyed another great life’s work and story about you life with Pat and families in Tell Me A Story.
It is touching and heartfelt and in away soothing I hope for you it was for me. Keep writing what you know ! It is easy to forgive as time seems to make it easier, but hard to forget no matter how much time passes. Hopefully someday we’ll meet in Beaufort to say hello in passing through life’s adventure. Until then stay safe, healthy and keep writing. We all have stories to tell but some are told by great and unique people like yourself. Enjoy life
It is touching and heartfelt and in away soothing I hope for you it was for me. Keep writing what you know ! It is easy to forgive as time seems to make it easier, but hard to forget no matter how much time passes. Hopefully someday we’ll meet in Beaufort to say hello in passing through life’s adventure. Until then stay safe, healthy and keep writing. We all have stories to tell but some are told by great and unique people like yourself. Enjoy life
wrote on September 8, 2020
at
4:40 pm
Sandra, I have just ridden the roller coaster of the year in Tell Me A Story. Your account of life experiences and tragedies mingled with laugh-out-loud laughter kept me turning the pages. You’re a great talent.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Linda Russell
Thank you for sharing your story.
Linda Russell
wrote on August 28, 2020
at
12:05 pm
I just finished, “Tell Me A Story,” and loved it! As we deal with a pandemic, the last paragraph of your Afterword seems so timely.
“The chaos of life makes us forget that sometimes, if we don’t get too distracted by the wreckage, the losses and heartbreaks, we’re offered a glimpse of something better, maybe even something we can call divine.”
I have found so much in both “The Sunday Wife” and “Tell Me A Story” that resonates with my own life as a former HS English teacher and life with a second husband. Thank you.
“The chaos of life makes us forget that sometimes, if we don’t get too distracted by the wreckage, the losses and heartbreaks, we’re offered a glimpse of something better, maybe even something we can call divine.”
I have found so much in both “The Sunday Wife” and “Tell Me A Story” that resonates with my own life as a former HS English teacher and life with a second husband. Thank you.
wrote on August 24, 2020
at
8:18 pm
Now that I am mostly retired, I have promised myself that I will become very involved in Casandra's works in remembrance of her Pat. David Keyser ( one of Conroy"s Seniors)
wrote on August 24, 2020
at
4:24 pm
I finished "Tell Me a Story" in 1 and 1 /2 days. As a 14 month patient at Mayo, I was mesmerized by your courage in Pat's last days. I've read Pat's books so many times I almost feel like a character in them. I haven't read any of your other books but are ordering them now. Look forward to meeting you one day at a book signing . Trying to escape Mayo with good health. God Bless... Ken
wrote on August 16, 2020
at
8:46 pm
Last month I was in Bluffton checking on my parents. Desperate for an outing, we visited the Pat Conroy literary center in Beaufort. We loved every minute, had a wonderful guide, met the director. It was just perfect in every way. My mother insisted I get your book, The Sunday Wife. This was not like her, she never pushes anything. So I got that book and your book, Tell Me A Story.
Last week I finished The Sunday wife and today I finished Tell Me A Story. What a gift they have been. My mother IS a minister’s wife and your story was filled with so many people and situations that we knew personally. I kept saying that no imagination could have made it up and now I know why, your own life presented those examples. Thank you for sharing your journey and especially your love of Pat. He was so lucky to have found you and I just wanted you to know that books from both of you have meant a great deal to me. Thank you. Jennifer
Last week I finished The Sunday wife and today I finished Tell Me A Story. What a gift they have been. My mother IS a minister’s wife and your story was filled with so many people and situations that we knew personally. I kept saying that no imagination could have made it up and now I know why, your own life presented those examples. Thank you for sharing your journey and especially your love of Pat. He was so lucky to have found you and I just wanted you to know that books from both of you have meant a great deal to me. Thank you. Jennifer
wrote on August 14, 2020
at
8:43 pm
A thank you for sharing these times with me... the reader. I met Pat on two occasions in Birmingham and now I want to read all his books. I wish you new beginnings. Also, my book club reviewed Moonrise. If you are in Birmingham, I would love to do lunch.
wrote on August 11, 2020
at
8:19 pm
Just finished reading Tell Me A Story... what a lovely relationship the two of you had! Thank you for sharing it! I have read all of your husband’s books and I am now reading yours. Please stay well!
wrote on July 27, 2020
at
1:42 pm
I absolutely loved reading “ Tell Me a Story”. What a rich lovely marriage the two of you enjoyed. Thank you for allowing the readers into your lives.
Peace in your heart, Mary Margaret
Peace in your heart, Mary Margaret
wrote on July 20, 2020
at
2:36 pm
I have read most of Pat's books -- Beach Music is my very favorite and I have read and reread it at least five times.
I bought Tell Me a Story when you were coming to a book signing in Panama City Beach and it will also be a book I will enjoy over and over. I laughed and cried during parts of the story.
I am so glad that Pat found someone like you who loved and enjoyed him and he returned that love. I know he was cranky sometimes but all relationships have their cranky moments. Thank you for a stunning story. The owner of your sweet and soulful book. Phyllis
I bought Tell Me a Story when you were coming to a book signing in Panama City Beach and it will also be a book I will enjoy over and over. I laughed and cried during parts of the story.
I am so glad that Pat found someone like you who loved and enjoyed him and he returned that love. I know he was cranky sometimes but all relationships have their cranky moments. Thank you for a stunning story. The owner of your sweet and soulful book. Phyllis
wrote on July 19, 2020
at
2:35 pm
Ms. Conroy, thank you for writing Tell Me A Story, which I finished at midnight last night. I read it on my Kindle, and I can tell you, I read every printed word and did not speed read as I am sometimes prone to do. I thoroughly enjoyed each word, thought, and beautiful descriptions in your writing. This is my first book of yours, but I intend to start at the beginning and read all of them. You have such a gift and I am thankful for your generosity in writing about your life with the legendary Pat Conroy. Readers got to know both of you in such a delightful way.
