Liar Liar
By Kathleen Bolton | November 7, 2007 |
I tend to write in first-person, so I’m always on the hunt for fresh character tags that show, not tell, reactions or liven up dialogue beats. This morning on my way to work, the drive-hour DJ actually imparted something worth listening to among his inane bibbling: physical signs that someone is lying to you.
I was delighted. A little Googling, and behold, I found a great source of physical tags by Gary Pearlman just itching to make their way into my latest wip. I’d thought I’d share them with you, just in case you have a character who may be hiding something from your protagonist.
Liars tend to (obvious tags first):
- Fidget
- Look down instead of looking someone in the eye
- Repeat your question (stalling)
- Breath heavily
But some of the more interesting signs are more subtle. Liars also tend to:
- Mispronounce words
- Tend to avoid details and string together simple actions
- Have pupils that dialate
- Move their hands and blink less
But most of all, liars tend to fly off the handle, especially when accused of lying.
Some of my own observations about liars is that nostrils flare when someone is lying. I think it’s because their hearts are racing a little and they need more air.
Are there any quirks or tics common to liars that you’ve observed? Like I said, I’m always on the lookout for fresh character tags.
Kathleen Bolton is co-founder of Writer Unboxed. She writes under a variety of pseudonyms, including Ani Bolton.
She has written two novels as Cassidy Calloway: Confessions of a First Daughter, and Secrets of a First Daughter–both books in a YA series about the misadventures of the U.S. President’s teen-aged daughter, published by HarperCollins, and Tamara Blake, for the novel Slumber.
Great info. I write in first too, and have found the dictionary of nonverbal cues a handy resource.
Oh, dear.
I have a 16 year old whom I occasionally catch in the act of lying. Typically, when his answer comes a little too quickly (Ie. How did you do on that PreCal test? Fine, he replies, avoiding my gaze as he nervously dashes out the door to play golf)I wonder if he’s lying. Now I see that liars avoid giving details. And fidget. And refuse to look you in the eye.
That kid is in so much trouble. (If I ever catch him!)
I rarely lie, but when I do… I’m terrible at it. People tell me I’m very obvious about it (avoiding eye contact, trying to change the subject, fidgeting, blushing, etc)
I also noticed that people lying tend to scratch their head or nose. They also tend to pause before telling a lie (they need to think to come up with it first, right?). Usually the facial expression of the liar is contrary to what he’s saying (like frowning or looking scared when saying something went well) or even looking forced (trying to smile).
Interesting post! :)
Intriguing post, Kath. I think the “evolving story” is a dead give away. Ask for details and the liar doesn’t know what to say. “Uh” is also a commonly heard word out of liar’s mouths, as s/he is scrambling for something to say to answer your questions.
The only problem is, even when I am not lying, in an attempt to convince people I am telling the truth I actually come across as though I am lying! Cruel, cruel world…
Interesting… if you’d like to read a journal entry from a master of deception… go to the “example” section on http://www.deardiarybook.com