Improve Your Imagination: Anthony Trollope’s Secret

Writers often complain to me that they have no imagination. (Of course you do!)

I love this quote from famous novelist Anthony Trollope on developing your imagination so that you can create fictional characters.

How to develop your imagination

Sir Henry Brackenbury recounted a conversation he had with Trollope in his book, Some Memories of My Spare Time:

I said that I envied him the gift of imagination, which enabled him to create characters.

He said, ‘Imagination! my dear fellow, not a bit of it; it is cobbler’s wax.’

Seeing that I was rather puzzled, he said that the secret of success was to put a lump of cobbler’s wax on your chair, sit on it and stick to it till you had succeeded. He told me he had written for years before he got paid.

What’s cobbler’s wax?

Presumably cobbler’s wax was once used by cobblers — shoemakers. According to this instructive tutorial from Eunan Hendron, it’s a sticky substance made of beeswax, rosin, and olive oil. Nowadays fishermen use it to tie salmon flies.

From the article:

A little bit on your finger as you’re tying works wonders for holding materials in place with minimum thread wraps, and your body temperature keeps it soft enough to run over the thread as you need it.

So there you go. You don’t need imagination to write wonderful fiction. Just stick your rear end to your chair and keep it there… With or without cobbler’s wax… 🙂

Want the gift of imagination? Here you go...

 

Another Anthony Trollope quote, on Writing a Novel

Do you procrastinate on writing? Trollope has a solution:

“When I have commenced a new book, I have always prepared a diary, divided into weeks, and carried it on for the period which I have allowed myself for the completion of the work.”

This works. Try it. 

Remember to use your imagination, too. 🙂

Anthony Trollope, on Writing a Novel



Yes, You’re Creative: How To Unlock Your Imagination And Build The Writing Career Of Your Dreams

Yes, You’re Creative: How To Unlock Your Imagination And Build The Writing Career Of Your Dreams

eBook: $5.99

Creativity is essential for writers.

In this book release your creativity to unlock your imagination and build the writing career of your dreams.

More info →
Just Write It: Write More, Sell More, Starting Today

Just Write It: Write More, Sell More, Starting Today

eBook: $3.99

This book will help you if you'd like to write more, more easily.

If you already have a writing career, but feel that you're not living up to your potential, this book will help you, too.

More info →
Angela Booth’s Top 70 Writing Tips: Write More, Improve Your Writing, And Make More Money

Angela Booth’s Top 70 Writing Tips: Write More, Improve Your Writing, And Make More Money

eBook: $5.99

New edition, 2023

If you want to write more, sell more, and have more fun writing... it's easier than you can imagine. Discover the secret to writing every day, and becoming a prolific writer.

More info →
Plan, Write, And Publish Serial Fiction In Four Weeks

Plan, Write, And Publish Serial Fiction In Four Weeks

eBook: $5.99

If you've heard that authors are successfully publishing their fiction as serials, and are curious about how it's done, read on. Readers enjoy serial fiction today, as they've done for centuries.

This practical guide helps you to start writing serial fiction, starting today.

 

More info →

Photo of woman reading…

by Max Harlynking on Unsplash