Barbara Mertz
Barbara Mertz
Barbara Mertzwas an American author who wrote under her own name as well as under the pseudonyms Elizabeth Peters and Barbara Michaels. In 1952 she received a PhD in Egyptology from the University of Chicago. While she was best known for her mystery and suspense novels, in the 1960s she authored two books on ancient Egypt, both of which have remained in print ever since...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth29 September 1927
CountryUnited States of America
home men thinking
Peculiar or not, it is my idea of pleasure. Why, why else do you lead this life you don't enjoy it? Don't talk of duty to me; you men always have some high-sounding excuse for indulging yourselves. You go gallivanting over the earth, climbing mountains, looking for the sources of the Nile; and expect women to sit dully at home embroidering. I embroider very badly. I think I would excavate rather well.
mostly work
I have no writing habit. I work when I feel like it, and I work when I have to - mostly the latter.
mistake kissing done
Nefret had always had an uncanny ability to read his thoughts. 'Did she cry?' she asked sweetly. 'And then you kissed her? You shouldn't have done that. I'm sure you meant well, but kissing someone out of pity is always a mistake.
clever ideas scrutiny
I have learned that particularly clever ideas do not always stand up under close scrutiny.
party cat doors
The cat Horus shot out from under the table and headed for the door, his ears flattened and his tail straight out. There he encountered Abdullah, who had been waiting for us on the verandah and who had, I supposed, been alarmed by Emerson's shouts and hurried to discover what disaster had prompted them. The cat got entangled in Abdullah's skirts and a brief interval of staggering (by Abdullah), scratching (by Horus) and swearing (by both parties) ensued before Horus freed himself and departed.
writing way
The only way to do it is to do it: by writing, writing, writing.
men people giving
Giving other people advice is one of the most irritating and useless activities known to man.
trying arguing thread
To argue without knowledge is like trying to weave without thread.
reading ghost-stories stuff
I've been reading ghost stories ever since I could read. I'm immensely curious about ghosts and UFOs and all that stuff, but I'm a very hard-headed person.
men talking political
When men start talking about 'honor', there is sure to be trouble ahead.
humor exaggeration-is form
Exaggeration is the cheapest form of humor.
lying down-and weakness
If someone lies down and invites you to trample upon him, you are a remarkable individual if you decline the invitation.
loving-someone people disease
Loving someone condemns you to a lifetime of fear. You become painfully conscious of how fragile people are - bundles of brittle bones and vulnerable flesh, breeding grounds for billions of deadly germs and horrible diseases.
youth common young
A fondness for martyrdom, especially of the verbal variety, is common to the young.