"Whereas fiction is a continual discovery of what one wants to say, what one feels, what one means, and is, in that sense, a performance art, biography requires different skills - research and organization"

Edmund White's quote draws an engaging distinction in between the innovative processes involved in writing fiction and biography. By portraying fiction as "a continual discovery", White suggests that the journey of composing fiction is exploratory and reflective. The author embarks on this journey without a predetermined location, allowing the story to progress organically. This procedure includes diving into one's own feelings, desires, and objectives, showing that fiction writing is deeply individual and reflective. In calling it a "performance art", White highlights the creative and spontaneous nature of fiction, likening it to an art form that is continuously progressing in real-time as the author discovers deeper layers of significance.

On the other hand, biography, according to White, requires a different set of skills. The need for "research study and organization" highlights the disciplined and structured approach needed in biographical writing. Unlike fiction, where the author has the freedom to mold characters and plots, bio is tethered to truth, demanding precision and factual representation. The biographer must immerse themselves in the life of their subject, sifting through historic information, individual letters, interviews, and other sources. The ability to manufacture this details into a meaningful narrative requires careful organization, making sure that the portrayal of the topic is both sincere and interesting.

White's difference highlights the diversity of writing as an art form, commemorating both the imaginative liberation discovered in fiction and the scholarly diligence required in biography. Each genre offers its unique obstacles and rewards, contributing to the wider literary tapestry. By comprehending these distinctions, readers and authors alike can better value the subtleties involved in storytelling, whether it's through the lens of creative fiction or the accurate precision of bio.