I will draw from a great number of sources, both from historical, real life and other fictional or mythological inspiration. I really like things to be rooted at least believably in history in order to make the reader ask themselves, "what if it really did happen closer to this?"

This is especially true with pieces I write set in antiquity, particularly Ancient Egypt. I have very solid background in the study because of my own independent work and the work of a family member and friends who are professional egyptologists at the university level. Take it for granted that some of us have spent decades studying the language and culture, so if you're full of it, you won't be able to fake it. Sorry.

From this, I believe, is my biggest pet peeve and that is just plain sloppy scholarship and applying certain judgements and modern day morality to a completely different culture and mindset. It's one thing to ask the reader to suspend disbelief and then tell them a good story for the favour they have granted. It's another thing entirely to insult their intelligence and assume no one is going to know the difference from when you actually did the research or just "channeled it". ;))