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To: zook
It is accepted that Dill represents Capote at that time. As far as Capote writing the book and Harper Lee claiming it, isn't that close to what is supposed to have happened with "In Cold Blood"? If I remember correctly, she had a great deal to do with that book, including writing large parts of it, and all he did was say something like "thanks to HL" in the forward.

It is odd though that Harper Lee never wrote another book - almost as if she had one good story and that was it.

70 posted on 04/06/2007 7:08:24 AM PDT by SoftballMominVA
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To: SoftballMominVA

Nobody knows what went on between those two — they were both very secretive about their work.


73 posted on 04/06/2007 7:11:28 AM PDT by durasell (!)
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To: SoftballMominVA
It is accepted that Dill represents Capote at that time. As far as Capote writing the book and Harper Lee claiming it, isn't that close to what is supposed to have happened with "In Cold Blood"? If I remember correctly, she had a great deal to do with that book, including writing large parts of it, and all he did was say something like "thanks to HL" in the forward.

The dedication is:
For Jack Dunphy and Harper Lee
With my love and gratitude

I haven't seen either of the two movies about Capote that came out in recent years, but it's my understanding that Harper Lee was a pretty important figure in both. And why not? Writers cross-pollinate (though I'm pretty sure in Lee and Capote's case, that wasn't true in the strict biological sense). They bounce ideas, critique drafts, brainstorm. God knows if I had a Pulitzer winner offering to drop by for tea and discuss my book, I wouldn't say no.

It is odd though that Harper Lee never wrote another book - almost as if she had one good story and that was it.

Writing a book is hard work. Writing a good one that you care about is harder still. That's why I haven't done it (yet). Some authors have an easier time of it than others -- Stephen King can practically dash out a book in his sleep (and I suspect that sometimes, he does). Mark Twain was another writer who made it look easy. But for other writers, birthing a book involves years of labor pains.

I suspect that Lee had one story that she really wanted to tell, and never found another that she could give that level of effort and commitment. She didn't need the money and never wanted the fame, so why go through all that effort to produce something that won't match what you've already made?

107 posted on 04/06/2007 7:44:40 AM PDT by ReignOfError (`)
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