Scripting A Podcast

February 19, 2025

Image: Suzy Hazelwood - Pexels

While looking through some of my old school assignments I found a fun little gem I thought I would share. The assignment was to write a script for an interview for a podcast. I can't recall whether we were instructed to choose a historical figure specifically, but I decided on Jane Austen. After writing down our questions, we got to answer them in a way we thought our interviewee might. Below is the script for the podcast and how I imagined Jane Austen might have answered my questions:

PODCAST INTRODUCTION

Hi, I’m Summer and welcome to Literature as Life, a podcast for bibliophiles, linguaphiles, and anyone in between. We’ve just finished delving into the works and mind of Shakespeare and before moving onto our next series we have a special stand-alone episode, one that features a favorite author of people all over the world. Stick around to the end of the podcast to find out how you can win a signed copy of one of her novels. That’s right! Three lucky listeners will come away with a literary masterpiece signed by the author herself, Jane Austen.

INTERVIEWEE INTRODUCTION

Jane Austen was born December 16 1775 in Hampshire, England to Reverend George AUSTEN and Cassandra LEIGH. Her older sister Cassy was delighted to have a sister join the family, and as the only daughters they became particularly close. Jane was a writer from a very young age who shared poems and stories with family members before moving on to novels. Though she faced some discouragements and setbacks in her early years of trying to get published, Jane persisted. Eventually, in the year 1811, Sense and Sensibility hit the shelves. Pride and Prejudice followed in 1813, Mansfield Park in 1814, Emma in 1815, and Persuasion and Northanger Abbey were published in 1817.  Whether you’ve become acquainted with her work through the page or the many film adaptations of her novels, it’s clear that Jane has made a lasting impact. Her turn of phrase, wit, and social commentary have captivated generations and will continue to do so. Miss Austen, thank you so much for joining us today.

OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

Summer: How did you develop such a love of and skill for writing?

Miss Austen: I cannot think of a time when I did not consider books superior to every other amusement. I suppose I loved them before I knew what love was. As to skill, what I possess was cultivated by constant practice and the unfettered access my father allowed me to his library. He encouraged me in my reading and introduced books which furthered my education. He allowed me great liberties in imitating the styles of others and providing the materials needed for writing, though it was done at no small cost to himself.

Summer: Do you remember when you knew that you wanted to be a published author?

Miss Austen: I was quite young when I decided to devote all my time to writing. It must have been...about the age of eleven when I wrote some of the first works that later became part of Juvenilia. I wrote many poems and short stories to amuse my family over those years, but I always intended to one day craft something of suitable substance and length for a novel.

Summer: I assume that being as well-read as you are you have favorite authors. Which of those authors inspired your imagination or otherwise influenced your writing?

Miss Austen: In my early years, I modeled parts of my novels in the epistolary style of Samuel Richardson. He is the author of one of my favorite novels, Sir Charles Grandison. I cannot fail to mention Fanny Burney as well, without whom the title of Pride and Prejudice may never have been conceived. Furthermore, she was proof of the possibility of success at becoming an author while maintaining the status of a respectable female.

Summer: There’s been much speculation over the years about whether you based some of your most memorable characters off people you knew. Would you care to shed any light there?

Miss Austen: That any of my heroes or heroines are positively based on a single individual, I must refute. I am, however, willing to say that there are traits of family, friends, and acquaintances blended into each personality. Each character is an amalgamation of ideas, temper, and circumstance that produces a new whole. My heroes and heroines are no less complicated for not being alive than the average person.

Summer: What about you? Have you imbued your characters with some of your personality?

Miss Austen: I daresay I have. In many cases, it may be unconsciously done, but it is done, nonetheless.

Summer: How would you describe yourself, and your personality?

Miss Austen: I ... I suppose I would call myself reserved, but not shy; quiet, but not without opinion; cautious but not without affection. If I lay claim to any gift beyond that of the pen, it must be in the power of understanding. Observation you see is not sufficient. Anyone may observe without understanding. But with very little information I may glean a great deal about the character, motivations, and personality of others. This understanding, though certainly not without flaws, has informed all my work.

Summer: Tell me more about your sister Cassandra. Were you always so close?

Miss Austen: [Sighs happily] Dear Cassy! I am but three years younger than she and have never known a moment without her. I have long looked upon her as my superior in intellect and character. She has been my greatest support. Of what import would Jane Austen be without Cassandra? From the very beginning, she has encouraged me to publish novels and it is she who has cared for Chawton cottage so that I might write. I do declare, like Lizzie Bennet, that until I have her disposition, her goodness, I can never her happiness. I am forever looking up to her and forever falling short.

Summer: Was Jane Bennett modeled after your sister then?

Miss Austen: [Smiling] As I stated before, my characters are comprised of traits from more than one person.

Summer: Okay. Moving on to a different subject. Obviously, you never married but does it follow that you were never in love? Would you be willing to talk about your relationship with Tom Lefroy or any other gentleman we may not have heard of?

Miss Austen: [Hearty Laughter] My how you tempt me! I confess that though I never wrote them, I do delight in a good mystery, so I shall let this part of my life remain such. I believe, from a letter to Cassy that has been published, you know all I would desire you to.

Summer: Speaking of letters, can you at least give us a hint as to the contents of the ones that Cassandra burned?

Miss Austen: No, indeed. They were to be kept or discarded at her discretion and I shan’t reproach her for putting them to the fire. Nor am I willing to relate the nature of anything which she deemed unfit for public viewing.

PODCAST CONCLUSION

Well, I won’t press you further then. You’ve been very gracious to take the time for this interview and I thank you for it. As I mentioned at the beginning of this podcast, Miss Austen’s generosity is being extended further. Three lucky listeners will win a signed copy of one of her novels. That’s right! If you win, you get to choose the novel you would like Miss Austen to sign. Not only that, but we’ve partnered with Oxford University Press to have your chosen novel custom-bound in a one-of-a-kind cover design. This will create a truly unique piece for your library and a family heirloom for future generations. To enter just visit our website: literatureaslife.com. The link to the giveaway is pinned to the top of the page so you can’t miss it. Three lucky winners will be drawn at random and announced later this month. For more details visit our page. Again, it’s literatureaslife.com. Thank you so much for joining us for another great episode. Be sure to come back next week as we analyze the meaning of one of literature’s most famous poems with the help of the author himself, Mr. Robert Frost. You won’t want to miss it!