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This is adapted from an article that appeared on the Write Anything website on January 27, 2008. The original text can be found here.

I'm a liar...

… by which I mean I’m a teller of tales. And not just because I write. I mean in conversation with people I will tell tales. Sometimes tall tales. To family, friends, random strangers.

About five or six years ago, I and my family were wandering around a shopping centre, when my sister in law asked a question about coconut ice (for those not familiar with this, it is a confectionery made from coconut, condensed milk and sugar - it’s delicious, but that’s another matter…)

For the next hour or so I rambled on and on about the origins of this sweet candy - a shaggy dog story that involved pirates, the discovery of Antarctica, arms smuggling and a Spanish adventurer called Captain Juan. I have no idea where this came from, but without hesitation I launched into this long and intricate story.

That was the start of a strange little habit I’ve picked up. Now, much to the annoyance of everyone who knows me, Captain Juan makes periodic appearances, usually in response to the most innocent of queries. And thanks to a few odd prompts through [Fiction] Friday, he has begun to make his first, tentative, public appearances.

Back to my point. I don’t know whether this is a sign of an overactive imagination, or just a strange sense of humour on my part, but I find that I do this a lot. Without missing a beat in a conversation, and without hesitations, I’ll start to tell a story, and see how far I can go without running out of ideas, without contradicting myself, and without giving myself away.

So here’s a challenge. I’d like you to try to do the same. For just a few minutes, when you’re just shooting the breeze with someone, see if you can spin them a yarn as long as your arm. Make it fun, make it light, and try to keep it going.

It’s a great exercise in spontaneity, imagination, and it might give you a few ideas for something new to write about. Obviously, you shouldn’t do this in serious situations, but when you’re just shooting the breeze with people, give it a try. It’s like a verbal [Fiction] Friday, but without prompts. You’ve got to talk for a few minutes, and because it’s all verbal, there can be no editing! I think you will surprise yourself with just how amazing your imagination can be.

And if you ever get the chance to meet me in person, just keep in mind what I’ve just revealed to you.

Especially if I mention Captain Juan.