Truman Capote only met Harper Lee once.
Truman Garcia Capote -LRB- -LSB- ˈtruːmən kəˈpoʊti -RSB- born Truman Streckfus Persons , September 30 , 1924 -- August 25 , 1984 -RRB- was an American novelist , screenwriter , playwright , and actor , many of whose short stories , novels , plays , and nonfiction are recognized as literary classics , including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany 's -LRB- 1958 -RRB- and the true crime novel In Cold Blood -LRB- 1966 -RRB- , which he labeled a `` nonfiction novel '' .. In Cold Blood. In Cold Blood. short stories. short stories. novel. novel. plays. play ( theatre ). nonfiction. nonfiction. novella. novella. true crime. true crime. nonfiction novel. Non-fiction novel. At least 20 films and television dramas have been produced of Capote novels , stories , and plays .. plays. play ( theatre ). Capote rose above a childhood troubled by divorce , a long absence from his mother , and multiple migrations .. He had discovered his calling as a writer by the age of 8 -LRB- The Dick Cavett Show , aired August 21 , 1980 -RRB- , and for the rest of his childhood he honed his writing ability .. The Dick Cavett Show. The Dick Cavett Show. Capote began his professional career writing short stories .. short stories. short stories. The critical success of one story , `` Miriam '' -LRB- 1945 -RRB- , attracted the attention of Random House publisher Bennett Cerf , and resulted in a contract to write the novel Other Voices , Other Rooms -LRB- 1948 -RRB- .. novel. novel. Miriam. Miriam ( short story ). Random House. Random House. Bennett Cerf. Bennett Cerf. Capote earned the most fame with In Cold Blood , a journalistic work about the murder of a Kansas farm family in their home .. In Cold Blood. In Cold Blood. Capote spent four years writing the book aided by his lifelong friend Harper Lee , who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird -LRB- 1960 -RRB- .. Harper Lee. Harper Lee. To Kill a Mockingbird. To Kill a Mockingbird. A milestone in popular culture , In Cold Blood was the peak of Capote 's literary career .. In Cold Blood. In Cold Blood. In the 1970s , he maintained his celebrity status by appearing on television talk shows .