1913--What's so special about that year? It is the time setting of HOUSE OF SEVEN The year resulted from the five novels that preceded it.
Of the seven characters, one needed to be a child to complete the group, a circle of eventual relatives. The plot required a fun-loving child, who was mischievous but lovable.
Have you ever heard of mailing children? As the book was taking shape, a story started making the rounds on the Internet about mailing children in 1913. What a coincidence! The idea seemed preposterous.
The go-to place for checking out stories is Snopes. Here's the story about sending children via parcel post: Snopes.com
Smithsonian.com has excellent articles about various subjects. Click on the Smithsonian link to read more about mailing children. (It's a research exercise.)
The Smithsonian site has a wealth of information. For example, it has articles about my current research project, diphtheria.
Snopes and Smithsonian are two more sources for writers or for any of you who enjoy looking up things that make you curious.
Facts can be incredible.
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