Truman Capote Book Quotes & Sayings

A boy has to peddle his book. — Truman Capote

Sometimes when I think how good my book can be, I can hardly breathe. — Truman Capote

Tiff like in Breakfast at Tiffany's,' he says. 'Right?'
I couldn't be more shocked. 'Um ... yes, that's right - it's an old movie.'
'Is it? Don't watch that much TV. I've only heard of the book - got it at home. I bought it 'cause Truman Capote wrote it. I was stoked by In Cold Blood. He wrote that, too. You read it?'
'No.'
'Aw, you gotta. It rocks.'
I look away as if I've been suddenly distracted by something out the window. It's my version of the pause button. There's a lot of information to process. Here's a boy my own age; he shakes my hand, he talks to me - not just to ask directions to the toilet - and he reads books.
Heathcliff? — Bill Condon

Finishing a book is just like you took a child out in the back yard and shot it. — Truman Capote

In Cold Blood is the story of these six people - the [four] Clutters, who died together November 15, 1959, and Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, who were hanged April 14, 1965. And my book is the story of their lives and their deaths. It's a completely factual account and every word is true.

- Truman Capote, interviewed in A Visit with Truman Capote, Maysles Films, 1966 (alternate title: With Love From Truman). — Truman Capote

I'm glad you are feeling more deeply drawn into your book; as for your not being sure now what it is about, does anyone ever know completely what they are writing about - if they are any good? — Truman Capote

I always write the end of everything first. I always write the last chapters of my books before I write the beginning ... Then I go back to the beginning. I mean, it's always nice to know where you're going is my theory. — Truman Capote

Fitzgerald has charm. It's a silly word, but it's an exact word for me. I like 'The Great Gatsby' and it's sad, gay nostalgia. — Truman Capote