So, I wrote this book—Lies That Bind.
Basically, everyone in the book is lying about something, i.e., the heroine and the hero lie to the heroine’s daughter, telling her that the hero is her father, when, in fact, he isn’t. The hero lies to the heroine, tells her that: 1) he needs her help finding this villain (which he does); and 2) that the man will never see her (he does). That one is a whopper… The hero and the heroine lie to the hero’s mother, telling her that the heroine’s daughter is his daughter. Of course, the m-i-l is pissed off because, well… she’s missed out on five of the most important years of a child’s life. Not to mention the villain, who has lied to himself on how much the heroine wants him. Talk about a tall-tale.
And, don’t think for a moment that the child gets out of this story without her share of falsehoods and half-truths.
The truth of the matter is, this subject started me thinking that people have all kinds of reasons for lying, but is lying really okay? It’s one of those gray areas where the answer starts with: it depends.
As you can see from the little chart above there are variations of lies. One study actually shows that white lies are essential to keep society running smoothly. But as any good doctor will tell you (Dr. Paul Seager), there’s no such thing as “Pinocchio’s nose” to discern when someone is lying to you.
TheHopeline.com explains “Eight Types of Lies” that people tell.
White Lies — the least serious of all lies. You know…the ones that keep society running.
Broken Promises — the failure to keep one’s spoken commitment.
The Lie of Fabrication — telling others something you don’t know for sure is true.
The Bold Face Lie — telling something that everyone knows is untrue.
Lies of Deception — trying to create an impression that is intended to mislead. The false impression, so to speak.
Plagiarism — this is both stealing and lying. Taking someone else’s work and claiming it as your own.
Compulsive Lying — perhaps caused by low self-esteem and / or a need for attention. The compulsive liar can’t not tell an untruth.
I digress. So while lying on the whole is wrong (except for those minor infractions that keep society running) the sole reason for this post was to show that one can write an entire book based on relationships and their need for not telling the complete truth. Lying, in a sense, is human nature! Okay, that isn’t quite the truth. But sometimes we lie to avoid hurting someone’s feelings, or to save face, or perhaps a life…
Things that sound good in our head, but most times come back to bite us in the ass.
About the Author
Kathy L Wheeler (aka Kae Elle Wheeler) has a BA in Management Information Systems from the University of Central Oklahoma that includes a vocal minor. Her day job included a Java Programmer for the Hertz Corporation for over 15 years before she began writing full-time in 2015. She loves the NFL, the NBA, musical theater, travel, reading, writing and just to scratch the singing itch…. karaoke. She is a member of the Oklahoma Romance Writers and The Beau Monde chapters, currently serving as editor of both the Regency Reader and Novel Notes Authors newsletters. Kathy lives in Edmond with her attorney and musically talented husband, Al. She has one grown daughter who has an adorable baby boy, and one bossy cat, who acts as if she were the rescuer rather than the rescue-e!!
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Thank you for hosting me, Delilah Devlin. Always a pleasure!
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Love the idea of everyone lying. Hopefully the truth will set them free in the end. LOL
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Kathy, you always say just the right thing – ah, but is it really the truth or are you just thinking that’s what we want to hear. LOVE YOUR STORIES
😛
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Let lying liars lie! How did you keep the right ‘lie vs lay’ straight, much less all those falsehoods? Sounds like fun!
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What a GREAT post LOL!
I’m not sure if I agree with those little white lies that “keep society moving” but hey, we all know it goes on.
Good luck and God’s blessings.
PamT
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Thank you for the posts everyone. Pamela…I’m not saying I agree or disagree…I think it’s just kind of human nature for whatever reasons, albeit, from not hurting someone’s feelings to going the complete other direction as intentionally inflicting pain.
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Yes, Paula Owen….fun is what it is all about.
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Well, Jannine…maaaybeeeeee
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Thanks, Jaynne. I really do try. And that is not a …. LIE.
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Sounds compelling and that’s no lie! Good luck here.
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Thanks, Susan!
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I am a neurotic truth-teller. It can be a detriment in a world where little white lies can help you to advance. But, I am who I am, so I have to live with it and be true to myself. Characters who lie, though, can make life interesting. It’s built in conflict. Will someone find out the truth? Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kathy! And best wishes for LIES THAT BIND!
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Thanks so much, MJ. Some stuff just pops in my head!
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Eeek! I can’t believe I’m just now visiting. So sorry! Great post. Fascinating take on lying. I am all about the white lies. I can’t imagine telling the truth ALL the time. Uh, hello, “Liar, Liar” – that movie shows how disastrous honesty can be. I can vouch for the book…great read, and lying DOES spice things up. 🙂