Since her original publication in the 1800s, Jane Austen has influenced hundreds of authors across the world, up to and including today's writers. Austen's style of humorous, but ultimately romantic storylines, combined with her strong-willed females heroines and dashing heroes, along with a dash of stinging social commentary, remain popular.



Austen's patented style remains so popular because it is the ideal romantic confection, copied in oh-so-many romantic and situation comedies. Austen once said that all of her characters get exactly what they deserve, and this way of ending stories is ever popular among readers, even if it is less so among critics.



This means a happy ending for her heroines (usually a wedding), and a not-so-happy one for her villains: never death, that would be too dark, certainly not a perfect storybook romance.



Austen's perfected style of storywriting has been repeated time and again by other authors, including contemporary ones, as well as in movies and television miniseries adaptations of her works. Some contemporary books are based directly on Austen's works, such as Helen Fielding's quintessential single-girl romp, "Bridget Jones' Diary" (the heroine is even swept off her feet by the handsome barrister, Mr. Darcy). Although this novel and its movie adaptation were well received, the subsequent sequel, which was not based on an Austen work, was less popular.



Austen has also influenced other popular modern day authors, such as Sophie Kinsella, who penned the popular series "Shopaholic". Today, most of the romantic comedies we see are based, if not directly on an Austen work, such as the movie "Clueless", which was based on "Emma", then on Austen's style and witty discourse.



Austen's influence pervades the genre known today as "chick lit". While many books have been written based on her stories, still others have retold her stories from the perspective of another character, such as "Mr. Darcy's Diary", by Amanda Grange. Author Linda Berdoll has made a career of furthering the "Pride and Prejudice" storyline with titles such as "Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife" and "Darcy and Elizabeth: Nights and Days at Pemberly".



Austen's influence is also felt in very unexpected places. Recently, Irvine Welsh revealed that his own work was very influenced by Austen, as well by Sir Waler Scott and George Eliot. Welsh is best known for the novel "Trainspotting", which tells the story of London's underground heroin world and was adapted to a cult movie starring Ewan McGregor.