‘The Notebook’ Author Nicholas Sparks Outlines His Rules for Writing Novels: ‘What Are the Ages of the Characters Who Will Fall in Love?’

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As a movie critic attending EbMaster’s Entertainment Marketing Summit hosted by Deloitte, I was captivated by Nicholas Sparks’ insights on crafting compelling romance narratives. Here’s my take on his key points in the first person:

In the realm of romantic literature, where I’ve penned tales as diverse as “The Notebook,” I shared my secrets for creating heartwarming stories during a talk at EbMaster’s Entertainment Marketing Summit presented by Deloitte. These are the rules I live by:

1. Start with strong characters who resonate with readers and audiences alike, giving them flaws that make them relatable yet unique.
2. Establish emotional stakes early on in the story, so readers feel invested in the outcome of the relationship.
3. Craft a captivating love story that unfolds gradually, allowing readers to experience the journey alongside the characters.
4. Infuse your narrative with vivid descriptions and powerful imagery to immerse readers in the world you’ve created.
5. Ensure authenticity by drawing from personal experiences or researching the specifics of the setting, characters, and emotions involved.
6. End with a satisfying conclusion that leaves readers feeling fulfilled but still yearning for more – after all, love stories are never truly over.

Sparks reveals some tips on creating a captivating narrative. One key question he always ponders when starting a fresh project is: “What will be the age groups of the characters who develop romantic feelings,” Sparks shared with Jennifer Maas, EbMaster‘s senior writer for TV business and gaming, during the all-day conference at Neuehouse in Hollywood.

The diversity in his character creations maintains an engaging quality for Sparks, and this approach is also strategically beneficial for Nicholas Sparks Incorporated on a broader scale.

In publishing, it’s often observed that readers tend to connect more with characters that they can identify with, and one aspect they find relatable is the character’s age. For instance, teens typically aren’t drawn to stories about elderly people or adults their parents’ age. Instead, they prefer reading about characters their own age. Therefore, it’s a common practice to diversify the ages of characters in literature to cater to readers’ preferences.

Additionally, Sparks is particularly meticulous about the tales he chooses for his novels, maintaining a stringent standard.

He stated that when creating a story, including its characters and narrative components, he aims to fulfill three key aspects. He seeks originality, finds it intriguing, and aspires for it to resonate with a broad audience.

The trick is finding a concept that supports all three components.

Typically, products such as books and movies tend to encompass two out of the three aspects: they can be intriguing and unique, as demonstrated by characters like Hannibal Lecter or a crime-centered plot, but frequently struggle with relatability. The more a viewer or reader can identify with the content, feeling that ‘This could happen to me’, the greater the emphasis on relatability or universality becomes.

Among other subjects that Sparks touched on during the session:

Splenda and Chicken Salad: A Viral Recipe Collaboration

A New York Times article last fall highlighted a unique chicken salad recipe by Sparks that incorporates Splenda sweetener. This recipe quickly gained popularity, prompting many to attempt their own variations. Eventually, the Splenda brand contacted Sparks for a joint marketing endeavor. Initially, the response to the recipe was apprehensive to unfavorable. However, Sparks’ passion for his recipe ultimately changed their minds.

Sparks declared, ‘It’s a match for anyone’s!’ I created it during my travels for books, and indeed, Splenda took notice. This year, they’ll feature my chicken salad recipe on their product boxes.

I’ve been honored to join forces with M. Night Shyamalan on our upcoming thriller “Remain” for over a year now. Shyamalan has officially signed on to direct this project, coinciding with the release of my novel later this year. We’re all set to start filming in June!

Sparks discovered the “Remain” project to be an exhilarating test. His supervisor, Howie Sanders from Anonymous Content, assigned him with crafting an innovative tale that he believed would resonate with both his audience and Sparks’ own – a reciprocal task, as Sparks explained. During their initial meeting, Shyamalan shared his idea, and in turn, Sparks presented his. In that very first encounter, Shyamalan agreed to proceed with Sparks’ story.

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2025-04-24 23:17