The first in the series is HONESTY AND DISHONESTY
Here are some traits of Dishonesty:
- shifty or wandering eyes
Here's an example:
"Where was I on Wednesday night between seven and nine?" said Charlie as he looked up at the ceiling. "Let's see, I went to the pub and meet some of my mates."
- rapid speech
- change in voice - low pitch to high or vice versa
- shifting back and forth on one's feet or in a chair
- exaggerated version of the "sincere, furrowed-brow look"
- sweating
- shaking
- any activity that obscures the eyes face or mouth
Here's an example:
"Well," she said, tracing her fingers across her lips, "I love you for who you are. It has nothing to do with your money."
- licking lips
- running tongue over teeth (Why? Because when you're lying, your mouth is dry so you lick your lips or run your tongue over your teeth.)
- inappropriate familiarity- invading personal space
Here's an example:
"What did you do with the money I had in this drawer, Luke?"
"Money? What money? I haven't seen your money." Luke stepped closer to Mark and slapped him on the back. "We're buddies. I would never take your money, you know me."
Here are some traits of Honesty:
- meet your gaze
- sincere smile
- warm kind eyes
- relaxed posture
These are some ways you can SHOW honesty or dishonesty. What are some unique ways you've done this?
Also, below is an informative slide presentation on the art of reading people.
Source: Reading People by Jo-Ellan Dimitrius
25 comments:
Clarissa - You are so right about the value of showing, not telling. Sometimes when one of my characters is lying, I have him or her avoid a gaze, move restlessly, or something else in terms of kinesics. I also have my lying characters change the subject. Research shows that most people don't like to lie. So our bodies react to telling a lie by all kinds of those little "signs." In fact, Jeffrey Deaver's sleuth, Kathryn Dance, is an expert on those kinds of kinesics, and that knowledge helps her get to the truth in the mysteries that feature her.
THis is AWESOME! this is the best post I've read all day and I've been lost on Writeoncon!
Amazing. I"m bookmarking this!
Very helpful!
This is very interesting, but why is it that as I read your descriptions of dishonesty politicians faces keep flashing through my mind?
Thanks for a fascinating post.
All the best, Boonsong
Margot, yes that's true about people not really lying to lie. There are actually four types of liars: occasional, frequent, habitual, and professional. Each of these will lie differently too.
Erinn, thanks. Wow, what a compliment. I'm glad you liked it.
Gail, thank you so much.
Boonsong, isn't it obvious? Because most of them are liars! ;)
CD
I've always been told by many of my teachers that when writing a story, I should show and not tell. So, I've been doing that a lot lately.
This is an awesome post idea and I can't wait to see the others. I'm definitely bookmarking this page for future references.
Thanks for everything and write on!
That's a really good thing to remember. I know I get stuck in "telling." I think it's because of my technical writing background. Work work work, I need to work on it...
This is one of the best examples of showing versus telling that I've seen. Thanks, Clarissa. This is one of my particular issues with writing, so it's very helpful.
Karen
I agree with Karen W - really great post. It will be very useful for me:)
I feel like we are cheating you soaking up so much knowledge for free. Will you take a hug?
Wonderful post. :D
Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Vatche, thanks, that means a lot. I hope you find the rest just as helpful.
Pat, that's the best we can do. Even I have to keep reminding myself.
Karen, oh, I'm so glad you liked it.
Alexandra, glad you liked it.
CD
My darling! How lovely of you to visit me and comment so I could find you. I adore a good mystery (or a good book in general). And my dear little 20 yr old daughter has been writing her heart out for years. (Not well yet, but getting better all the time.) She just got a short story published in a fledgling magazine (to be presented in 3 parts); and I was so proud to see her in print!
I'll pass on your blog to her as well, as I think you'd have lots of good advice that she could use.
Me, I write silly posts, a fairly hilarious Xmas letter to friends, and I can come up with a funny song about anyone or anything in a trice! And those all satisfy my literary aspirations.
I'll be following!
Dishonesty? Turning away when speaking.
Great post as always!
Sandy, well, I'm glad you found it. I would love to read your daughter's writing. I'm trying to build a love for writing in my son. Hope to visit your blog often.
Alex, that's a great one. If someone turned away from me while talking, I'd probably just walk away. Thanks for the comment.
CD
This is GREAT! I look forward to the rest of your series :)
These are great, Clarissa! In mysteries it's ALWAYS important to have a bunch of liars, and I use a couple of these (sweating, refusal to meet eyes) but it's great to have a few more tools in my pouch!
One of my favorite posts you've done, Clarissa! The slideshow is a great addition. I learned a lot.
Show don't tell only goes so far...I certainly don't mind reading a little "telling" if it's done well. Dialogue can be a great part of a book, once again, if done well!
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
Lynda, thanks. Hope you enjoy the rest.
Hart, yes, I find these helpful for me too as a mystery writer.
CD
Great post as always, Clarissa! I read somewhere that people defending themselves who don't use contractions are probably lying. Such as: "I am not a crook." Experts think using contractions (I'm not a crook) is more trustworthy. Too bad Nixon didn't know that, haha!
Also in that same vein, it's always better to use the positive. Nixon should've said "I'm an honest president" because sometimes when people are listening, they don't hear the "not." So since he was already under suspicion, some people heard "I'm a crook" and unconsciously ignored the not. Definitely something to think about when writing dialogue!
Thanks. Great examples.
People think writing is so easy. You could write for years and still have things to learn!
Helen
This is wonderful information. I'm bookmarking this post. Thanks.
Great post! I tend to use people looking down a lot when they're lying. I'm going to incorporate some of yours.
Laura, that is some excellent advice. Very helpful when doing dialog.
Carol, thanks. I'm honored.
Talli, hope you find future articles as helpful
CD
Great post! Looking forward to the continuation of the series >:)
Cold As Heaven
Clarissa, I just found your blog and I know I will learn a lot from you. I have had no formal training in writing except high school English. But I do love to write. Your lessons are showing me a lot of things to think about.
Thank you for writing these so we can all learn to be better writers.
I found you through Confessions of a Mystery Novelist.
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