Before In Cold Blood , Truman was a normal, if ambitious, person,

He did tell me that 'In Cold Blood' scraped him down to the marrow of his bones. That's how he phrased it. He achieved fame, money, everything a writer ever, ever wants in the world, and it ruined his life.

Before Truman Capote, journalism and non-fiction weren't taken very seriously.

...he called after her as she
disappeared down the path, a pretty girl in a hurry...

My blood ran cold

I'm really a normal person.