JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: The literary world has recently been abuzz with the story of AJ Finn, the author of the bestselling THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW. It turns out that Finn, under his real name of Dan Mallory, is a publishing executive how seems to have gone through life lying about everything - his health, family members being dead, advanced degrees, work experience, etc, etc. The story the New Yorker did about him is amazing - and perhaps the most amazing part is being exposed as a four-Pinocchio pants on fire guy hasn't hurt his career at all.Another New Yorker, who hasn't landed quite on her feet, is Anna Delvey, the "Soho Grifter," who spun a web of lies about being an heiress that enabled her to live like one for quite some time - until hotels and art galleries began to demand payment. She's now on trial for grand larceny and theft of services, but even in the courtroom, she's managed to show up wearing Michael Kors, Yves Saint Lauren and Victoria Beckham. How is she paying for it? Well, she is very good at talking people into giving her things.
The part that amazes me about folks like Mallory and Delvey is how they live with themselves. I don't mean morally and ethically - I mean how can you lie and lie without having a heart attack from the anxiety of getting caught?I was a terrible liar as a child, in that I would attempt a bald-faced assertion that I hadn't gotten into the chocolate chip cookies with crumbs at my feet and chocolate smeared on my mouth. It wasn't until I was in my teens that I mastered the kindly lies that make people feel better - saying, "Isn't this lovely!" instead of "I already have this," when getting a gift.
As an adult, I got better, as one does. I lied every time Ross asked me if I could see his bald spot. No regrets. I would also lie when he would ask me, while I was away on book tour, if I missed him. Well, he was at home, cooking dinner, driving kids, settling arguments and cleaning out the litter box - all things I would be doing were I at home. Meanwhile, I was getting room service in a Hilton in Houston or Denver, and would be picked up in the morning by a cheerful escort to be driven around town to places where people treated me like a rock star."Oh, yes, sweetheart, I miss you a lot." Not sorry for that one, either.
I've gotten out of a few tickets for things like not having my registration up to date or going past my inspection, but I suspect those were more about looking like a helpless white-haired lady than my convincing claim that, "I didn't realize it was due last month!" And of course I have a long track record of telliing my editor my manuscript would be done on X date, and not coming through - but at the time I said it, it was the truth. I'm just utter rubbish at estimating my writing speed.
So Reds, have you ever told a little white lie? Tried to skip out of trouble? Pour oil on troubled waters? Has a lie ever backfired on you?
JENN McKINLAY: I'm a very good liar. Seriously, it's like a super power and usually even I'm surprised at what comes out of my mouth. For example, a friend and I were driving in New Haven (college days) and I swerved into the lane beside me because I was rocking out to the Ramones, and the guy I cut off rolled up next to me and began to chew me out (deservedly so). I looked right at him and said, "I'm so sorry. I lost a contact lens and I can't see a thing!" He blinked and said, "Oh, well, drive safe!" At which point, my friend and I drove off, cackling with the Ramones still cranking. Truly, I had no idea I was going to say that and it totally worked! That being said, I haven't had to wield my "gift" much since the misspent days of my youth. I hope it hasn't atrophied. LOL.RHYS BOWEN: It turns out I'm a good liar too. When the Reds had the famous Name That Red panel and each had to make up outlandish stories I was the one who fooled the audience every time... to the point when I thought there should be some career advantage in being such a bare faced liar! In real life I was brought up in a strict Christian household and would be sweating bullets if I lied. I think the worst I ever did was to tell my parents I was going to a G movie when in fact it was more PG. But I have been good about keeping surprise parties secret with appropriate fibs.
JULIA: How about you, dear readers? Have you been telling fibs? Now's the chance to confess all...
