In other words, are you a good writer? *
Now, don’t feel insulted. Fact is, both accomplished writers and liars have the ability to recognize and accommodate other people’s point of view. If you aren’t sensitive to how others perceive your message, you can’t tell a believable story.
The above video illustrates how to determine a person’s lying ability in just a few seconds. (Hint: Have someone you trust watch the video and give YOU the test.)
And of course, there are the finer points of storytelling and lying to consider as well, such as knowing how to stimulate your audience’s imagination with just the right details that give your tale the appearance of reality. Achieving verisimilitude, like any other skill, takes practice.
There’s also a psychological element at work here. Both liars and writers enjoy being the center of attention. (Although you could argue that writers, who are introverts wrestling with extroverted cravings, really want an admiring audience kept at a safe distance.)
After all, the ability to lie is at the heart of what we do. Writers strive to craft an attractive and entertaining untruth. Isn’t that the definition of fiction? As Stephen King put it, “Fiction is the truth inside the lie.” The goal of fiction is to lure and enchant your audience so you can impart the larger meanings and deeper truths that originally inspired you to take up the challenge.
* Full disclosure: My wife gave me this test. Yeah, I passed.
I shall endeavor forever to achieve verisimilitude. Got it. 😊
Kelly,
That’s the spirit!
Hello Mike. I’m currently reading Giovanni’s Room, by James Baldwin. He gets inside the human mind and emotions extremely well. Though it’s fiction, it’s nothing but the truth.
Neil Scheinin
Neil,
Baldwin trained for the ministry, and his fiction echoes the power and rhythm of the King James Bible. Quite a writer.
Fascinating Mike! I’ve never thought of it like that. As for whether I’m a good liar… I’m not saying anything! 😉
Alli,
Say it! Admit it — you’re a writer!
Okay, I’m a writer! There – I said it… 😉
Excellent post, Mike. Very interesting.
Glad you liked it, Jennie!
“… writers, who are introverts wrestling with extroverted cravings …”
You often find good quotes from others, but I’m seeing this succinct yet thought-through expression as one of your own, and I love it!
This is a good one.
KE,
Thank you!
(…response: finger up and on, pause, from which perspective, wait, still no clarification, do the circle but wait still for clarification before writing the leg, right or left, still none, default to my right Hence bad liar, bad writer. Or…)
I love this post! Even those of that write poetry stretch the truth! lol Thank you for following BrewNSpew!
Eugenia,
My pleasure. Looking forward to your future posts. It looks like a lively blog.
I like to think of writers and storytellers as embellishing or polishing what is already there. I spent several years as a journalist. I never “lied.” I will admit to embellishing though.
The test doesn’t indicate that you ARE a liar, just that you have the ability to lie convincingly.
Interesting and thought-provoking.