The Help: An inspiration

Don't waste your time on obvious things.  Write about what disturbs you, particularly if it bothers no one else.

I think this may be the best writing advice ever.  It was only when Skeeter explored the idea that she liked, that Ms. Stein expressed interest in Skeeter's work.  Ms. Stein's advice really inspires me to write and to write with a purpose.

I love the different first person perspectives.  I was afraid at first that Aibileen and Minny's chapters would sound too similar since I figured they would use a lot of the same language but Kathryn Stockett does a good job of establishing each character's personalities. I also love the descriptions used in the book. For instance Aibileen describing Elizabeth: "Her face be the same shape as that red devil on the redhot candy box, pointy chin and all."

I keep wondering why Skeeter is friends with Hilly.  I'm guessing Hilly was a different person before she got married and now she's trying to take on this role of housewife and mother.  I'm also guessing that Hilly and Elizabeth were not close with their help.  Skeeter sees Constantine as her mother figure while her mom is the one who disciplines her.  It breaks my heart seeing Elizabeth and Skeeter's mother in this book.  They have little to no involvement with their children.  I suppose this was the norm during that time but with having Abby, I can't imagine missing everything in her life and knowing so little about her.  The reason Nathan and I decided I should stay home was so that I could help shape Abby as a person and not leave that responsibility to someone else.