Capote Quote by Truman Capote
““Capote's rejoinder to Kerouac's assertion that he never needed to edit his work…"But, that's not writing . That's typing.””
About This Quote
Source Letter: to Jack Kerouac, 1959
Capote dismisses the notion that writing is merely typing, emphasizing that true writing involves deeper craft beyond mere keystrokes.
In simple terms: Writing is more than typing; it requires craft.
Key Takeaway
Focus on the craft, not just the act of typing.
Themes
writing
craft
authenticity
literary criticism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- author workshops
- editing sessions
- self‑editing
- teaching writing
Key Concepts
Literature
creative process
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define “real” writing?
- What role does editing play in your creative process?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that digital tools democratize writing, reducing the craft barrier.
![“[Truman Capote] was not only just selling his writing, but he was selling himself as a person.” quote by Philip Seymour Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/793/philip-seymour-hoffman-2704_capote_truman-capote-was-not-only-just-selling_647265.jpg)
![“When you think about [Truman] Capote in the - was what he did exploitative of a person's life or exploitative of these murders? You look at our culture now, you look at celebrity and how it plays out in our culture now, and Capote was one of the great PR men of his time.” quote by Philip Seymour Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c49/philip-seymour-hoffman-2704_capote_when-you-think-about-truman-capote-in-th_694751.jpg)
