Storyteller Saturday: Jane Austen

Today on Storyteller Saturday we go back. Way back. The storyteller we celebrate today is Jane Austen.

Like countless other writers of romance, chick lit, and women’s fiction, I’m a huge fan of Jane Austen. It was the reading of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women that most impacted me as a reader. But it was Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice that set me on the path to being a storyteller.

Jane Austen was masterful at creating rich, full characters who felt familiar, like a friend, a sister, or the boy who drove you crazy. Her wit and distinct voice shine through the narrative and dialogue of her characters. Her delicious use of irony to make commentary on the frivolity and hypocrisy of society is both powerful and humorous.

Jane Austen had a gift for creating memorable characters. To this day, Lizzie Bennet is still my favorite fictional heroine. Her stories were built on a well-structured, character-driven plot. She used her razor-sharp wit and realistic dialogue to make a biting commentary on society while entertaining her readers and giving them reason to re-think their own approach.

As a reader, there is much to admire about Jane Austen’s ability as a storyteller.

As a storyteller, truly immersing oneself in the genius of a Jane Austen novel is akin to taking a master class in the art of storytelling.

What is your favorite Jane Austen story? Who is your favorite Jane Austen character?

Roxanne Ravenel (263 Posts)

Roxanne is a freelance journalist and novelist living in North Carolina. Her alter ego, Reese Ryan, writes smart, spicy fiction populated by deliciously flawed, multicultural characters living in the Midwest and Southeast. Her debut novel, TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, will be published by Carina Press July 22, 2013. She is Managing Editor of the long-running e-zine, All Things Girl.