Author Kathryn Stockett was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, where The Help (her first novel) takes place. She drew inspiration for The Help from her close relationship with her childhood maid, Demetrie. Despite the fact that Demetrie spent so much of her time taking care of the children, Stockett knew very little about her personal life and decided to fill that gap by writing in Demetrie's voice. Demetrie eventually became the character of Aibileen, and Stockett slowly developed the plot for the book.
Stockett had a great deal of trouble in bringing her book to print; over sixty literary agents rejected the manuscript. However, The Help has been a resounding commercial success;...
