'Two ways of meeting difficulties'

 

“There are two ways of meetingdifficulties: you alter the difficulties or you alter yourself meeting them.” –Phyllis Bottome  

 

Born in Kent, England on this datein 1884, Phyllis Forbes Dennis was a British novelist and short storywriter who wrote under her birth name, Phyllis Bottome.

 

Primarily a mystery writer, shepenned 35 novels and dozens of short stories over a nearly 60-year writingcareer, starting with her first book at age 17.  After marrying, sheand her husband were part of the British diplomatic corps, although his workwas mainly through MI-6, the spy division made famous as the parentorganization of the fictional James Bond.

 

It was great “grist for the writingmill,” she noted.   Four of her books – Private Worlds, TheMortal Storm, Danger Signal, and The Heart of a Child –were adapted to films.   At his request, she also wrote a highlyregarded biography of psychologist Alfred Adler, who she studied under as anundergraduate.   

 

Following her death in 1963, herhusband bequeathed a large collection of her papers and correspondence to The NationalBritish Library where they are open to the public.

 

“Truth, though it has manydisadvantages, is at least changeless,” Bottome said.   “You canalways find it where you left it.”