How To Write Liars Believably

how do you write a liar?

How to Write Liars Believably

Language

The motive of every goal is the make the lie seem plausible while taking blame off the speaker, so liars will often project what they say to a third party: "Katie said that..."

Referring to third parties as "they" rather than he or she

In the case of a deliberate lie prepped beforehand, there will be an overuse of specific names (rather than pronouns) as the speaker tries to get the details right.

Overuse of non-committal words like "something may have happened"

Masking or obscuring facts like "to the best of my knowledge" and “it is extremely unlikely," etc.

Avoiding answers to specific, pressing questions

Voice

There's isn't a set tone/speed/style of speaking, but your character's speech patten will differ from his normal one.

People tend to speak faster when they're nervous and are not used to lying.

Body Language

Covering their mouth

Constantly touching their nose

fidgeting, squirming or breaking eye contact

turning away, blinking faster, or clutching a comfort object like a cushion as they speak

nostril flaring, rapid shallow breathing or slow deep breaths, lip biting, contracting, sitting on your hands, or drumming your fingers.

Highly-trained liars have mastered the art of compensation by freezing their bodies and looking at you straight in the eye.

Trained liars can also be experts in the art of looking relaxed. They sit back, put their feet up on the table and hands behind their head.

For deliberate lies, the character may even carefully control his body language, as though his is actually putting on a show

The Four Types of Liars

Deceitful: those who lie to others about facts

2. Delusional: those who lie to themselves about facts

3. Duplicitious: those who lie to others about their values

Lying about values can be even more corrosive to relationships than lying about facts.

4. Demoralized: those who lie to themselves about their values

Additional Notes

Genuine smiles or laughs are hard to fake

Exaggerations of words (that would normally not be emphasized) or exaggerated body language

Many savvy detectives ask suspects to tell the story in reverse or non-linear fashion to expose a lie. They often ask unexpected, or seemingly irrelevant questions to throw suspects off track.

Character Dynamic Asks

Between Protagonist and Antagonist

What was their first conflict? How did this shape their relationship

Are there moments of respect or admiration between them?

What are the biggest differences in their motivations and values?

Do they have a shared past or connections?

How does their conflict affect the world around them?

Between Protagonist and Mentor Figure

How did they meet?

What lessons has the mentor taught the protagonist?

Is there a time when the protagonist surpasses or contradicts the mentor?

What does the protagonist admire about the mentor?

Does the mentor have secrets or flaws that the protagonist discovers?

Between Protagonist and Love Interest

How did they meet and what was their first impression of each other?

What obstacles stand in the way of their relationship?

How do their personalities complement or contradict each other?

What are their biggest fears or insecurities in the relationship?

How does their relationship grow over the course of the story?

Between Protagonist and Closest Friend

How did they meet and why did they become friends?

What are their shared interests or activities?

Are there any secrets or conflicts between them?

How do they support each other in difficult times?

What does each admire about the other?

Between Antagonist and Closest Ally

How did they meet and why do they work together?

What are their shared goals or motivations?

Are there tensions or power struggles between them?

How do they react to failures or setbacks?

Is there a possibility that their alliance could break?

Between Supporting Characters

What are their backgrounds and connections with each other?

Is there a rivalry or close friendship between them?

How do they contribute to the main plot?

What secrets or conflicts exist between them?

How do their relationships change over the course of the story?

These questions can help you develop deeper and more layered relationships between your characters, giving your story more depth.

2K notes View Post

twlaei

1 year ago

rest in peace Jason Todd, you would've loved me

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twlaei

2 weeks ago

I made Hungarian mushroom soup and it's a little too delicious to be real

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twlaei

4 months ago

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine "Past Tense, Pt. 1"

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twlaei

8 months ago

Sorry I'm going to be more normal about him

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twlaei

1 year ago

reblog if you enjoy napping, being cozy, being conked out, snoozing, wrapping up in blankets, sipping a hot drink, catching some z's, hugging a plushie, or otherwise relaxing and resting

49K notes View Post

twlaei

1 year ago

to bite. Fondly.

26K notes View Post

twlaei

1 year ago

Scott is literally the good moral compass of the group of course he gave people seconds chances. But let’s remember Theo’s second chance was done by Liam and Scott allowed to save Stiles. Scott gave Derek a chance after like what the first 2 seasons. Which makes sense because in the first 2 seasons Derek was this asshole he didn’t know with murderous intentions. By season 3 Scott trust Derek as much as Derek allows (Derek with his secretive ways, I mean). And he did not treat Stiles like dirt, let’s be real (if anything it was the other way around but I love their friendship so I won’t even say that). Scott does whatever he can for stiles and vice versa. He never shamed stiles for anything at all, they had 1 misunderstanding the whole show and it was on both of them. Also please name a time he blamed someone for what was happening around him, (besides Derek and Peter in season 1)