Jane Austen

Jane Austens head in a painted portrait (www.jasa.net)

Jane Austen is my hero in a different way. Not because of something she did but because of what and why she wrote. Though she died at a somewhat early age she managed to write many loved stories. She got me hooked on funny love stories. Apart from the genre she wrote it was the words she chose that made her stories like a chorus of songs sung by the characters she made.

A painting of Jane Austen sitting on a chair (www.jasa.net)

Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775. The seventh of eight Austen children. She was born at the rectory in the village of Steventon, near Basingstoke, in Hampshire. She was educated mainly at home and never lived apart from her family.

Jane Austen sitting, looking front (www.jasa.net)

Jane had a happy childhood and loved her life. Her older sister and she were inseparable. To entertain themselves the children made plays and charades. Even as a little girl Jane was inspired to write. Jane loved to read in her father’s library.

Jane Austen (www.allposters.com)

When Jane was 14 she wrote her first novel, Love and Friendship. Later in her early 20s, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Northangar Abbey. She also started a novel called The Watsons.

Jane Austen (www.berksfhs.org)

As a young woman Jane loved to dance. She attended many balls in many big beautiful houses. Jane loved the country and had many Hampshire friends. She and her sister moved with her father to Bath. Jane missed her Hampshire life. Her father died in 1805.

Jane was a hero to others near and far. She brought loved stories to everyone and died doing what she loved. Jane showed perserverence with her stories. She showed that any story can be an adventure but in different way. Jane made adventurous all books.

Jane Austen was a great author. She made every word part of the never ending chorus of her never unloved books. Jane is my hero not for something she did but for the inspiring words she wrote. Jane Austen has inspired me to write what I want. Her books’ characters are still singing in my head.