Jane Austen - Inspiration

Jane Austen - Inspiration?There is some controversy surrounding Jane Austen as the main inspiration for Pride and Prejudice. She is also sometimes identified with character Charlotte, who married Mr. Bingley in Pride and Prejudice. It has been said that Charlotte and Mr. Bingley are a double for Jane Austen's character Elizabeth, whose husband Mr. Collins loved to visit and sleep with all the visiting ladies.As far as I am concerned, I was rather surprised to see Jane Austen listed as a source of inspiration for Joan Blankenship. One can only wonder why she was not mentioned when Jane Austen and Emma were being set up together.I know from experience as an author Jane Austen is an inspiration. She gives so much to the reader by writing from a very real and highly emotive viewpoint, trying to convey thoughts, feelings and meanings. It is no surprise then that she is used as an inspiration to authors everywhere. Even I've seen Jane Austen quoted in books with different names.To be compl etely honest, I would like to know how Jane Austen got this particular title, but I'm not sure whether or not it is true or not. It may have come from the fact that Jane Austen had a close friend who was a socialite, they met at the Hazlitt garden parties. Although there is nothing to indicate any actual friendship between Jane Austen and Jane Grayson.Jane Austen wrote a variety of novels, and most of them are still around to read today. These are all great books about women, and I think it is probably fair to say most women like what they read. Jane Austen's books have a realistic and factual feel to them, which makes them appeal to many women.As far as the first line of Pride and Prejudice, 'I could not help myself', goes, I agree with it being a clever piece of writing from Jane Austen, but I can't help thinking there may be a little bit of exaggeration here and the author may have merely been stating the facts of life. Not very wise or well advised really, and definitely not one of her better pieces of writing, so I guess we have to admit to being biased.The fact remains that Jane Austen's writing is top class, and I can't wait to read what else she has to say. Her other works include Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, and the three volumes of her collected works. She wrote many other short stories and several novels, including one that was published posthumously, which was most likely Northanger Abbey.There are so many brilliant pieces of writing that inspire women to write, and Jane Austen was definitely one of them. Let's hope she is happily deceased and happily doing what she likes best.