Yes, the best lies are based mostly in truth with a key substitution. And, it is a novice's mistake to keep babbling. The best liars are the ones who must do so their entire lives in order to survive.

To be honest, I do the opposite: I intentionally play with random people by telling them truths in a manner that comes across as lying.

Two ways to lie, say something false or only give 1/2 of the story.