'Two ways of meeting difficulties'

 

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

 

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

 

Primarily a mystery writer, she penned 35 novels and dozens of short stories over a nearly 60-year writing career, starting with her first book at age 17.  After marrying, she and her husband were part of the British diplomatic corps, although his work was mainly through MI-6, the spy division made famous as the parent organization of the fictional James Bond.

 

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

 

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

 

“Truth, though it has many disadvantages, is at least changeless,” Bottome said.   “You can always find it where you left it.”