Sunday, July 8, 2012

Truth in Your Lies

So I've been watching Lie to Me, a nice tv show about this British deception expert and his merry band of coworkers who help solve criminal cases because they can read people's face and can tell when they are lying or telling the truth.  I won't belabor you with more details in an attempt to watch it, but I do recommend checking it out if you have the time.  It's quite fun and I've been trying to do some face reading of my own...

Anyway, this IS related to my suggested prompt for the month of July.  There's a character on the show that says he practices "radical honesty" where he says whatever comes to mind and always tells the truth.  Wouldn't that me interesting to have a character that always tells the truth?  Whatever is on his mind?  Like what if you put him in a weird situation - bank robbery, funeral, etc - how would others react?

So my prompt is this, since the show revolves around lying and truth telling, write a story, poem, character sketch, whatever, about someone who is lying or telling the truth.  What is really going through their minds?  Are they saying it? Why/why not?

To get yall in the mood I've collect some quotes:

“Oh, what a tangled web we weave...when first we practice to deceive.” 
 Walter Scott, Marmion


“Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies.” 
 Oliver Goldsmith



“If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.” 
― Mark Twain 

“A truth that's told with bad intent
Beats all the lies you can invent.”
― William BlakeAuguries of innocence



“Anyone who believes what a cat tells him deserves all he gets.” 
 Neil Gaiman, Stardust


“I always tell the truth. Even when I lie.”
― Al Pacino


“We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize truth at least the truth that is given us to understand. The artist must know the manner whereby to convince others of the truthfulness of his lies.” 
 Pablo Picasso

“Art, after all, is - at its best - a lie that tells us the truth.” 
 Nam Le

“Artists use lies to tell the truth. Yes, I created a lie. But because you believed it, you found something true about yourself.” 
 Alan Moore, V for Vendetta

“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” 
 Oscar Wilde

It is always the best policy to tell the truth, unless, of course, you are an exceptionally good liar.  
― Jerome K. Jerome






Or if you want a slightly different prompt, pick one of these quotes, or any one about truth/lies, and use it as inspiration for a story or poem.  May the writing be with you!

2 comments:

  1. I'm sorry I haven't responded. I read this post ages ago, loved it, and then immediately started three different short stories and abandoned them. I'm going to write something on this prompt. Concealing a lie from either the audience or a character always creates more tension in a play, and I know that in my own life I've never been good at outright lies but find that half-truths, lies of omission, and well placed hurtful revelations can cause just as much pain. That's why I love the quote by William Blake. (Also, Blake's my home boy after I spent a semester studying his crazy ass poetry. I feel we have a close, personal connection even though he's been dead for centuries.)

    I will try to write something and post it here forthright!

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  2. Read this the moment (or a few moments after) you posted this, but I couldn't bear to comment until I started on your lovely prompt. Unfortunately, still haven't started anything, but I figured it was time I commented. I like the idea of concealing lies, or someone telling the truth and no one believing them--it interests me in real life. It's just difficult to explore it in a non-obvious way. I hope to get some time to get some writing done following this prompt. That is if I get time -_-''. Will try my best. <3

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