What was Jane Austen like as a child? What were her formative influences and experiences, her challenges and obstacles, that together set her on the path toward becoming a writer?         Drawing upon a wide array of sources, including Austen's own books and correspondence, Lisa Pliscou's new biography illuminates the life and creative development of the youthful Jane, and the fascinating connections to her mature work.      Lavishly annotated, designed with a beautifully evocative antique sensibility, and featuring 20 specially commissioned illustrations, Young Jane Austen: Becoming a Writer is sure to intrigue anyone interested in Jane Austen, her enduring legacy, and the triumph of the artistic spirit.