Is Nicholas Sparks as Romantic as His Novels?

Many of your books have been made into movies. Do you think about how a story will translate to film as you write?

I do keep film in mind, in that I would like my story to be feel fresh and original, both as a novel and as a potential film. An example might be I would never write a love story set on the Titanic — it wouldn’t strike people as original because they’ve seen a movie about that. Then once I start writing, I only think about the book. Once I’m finished with the book, I set it aside and I only think about the film.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I tend to work out. I take my dog for a walk. I pray. And I have a lot of kids [five], so I talk to my kids. I’ll call them to see how they’re doing. I travel — I was recently in Bora Bora, which is just like the photos you see in magazines. It’s really quite extraordinary.

Are you a big reader?

I should have mentioned that. I read for hours per day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. I love finding a novel that someone recommends and it turns out better than my expectations, or finding a good book in a bookstore and you read it and say, “Wow, I can’t believe no one has heard of this, because it’s so amazing.” I really liked The Shadow of the Wind by [the Spanish author] Carlos Ruiz Zafón. I reread it recently and was really struck by the beauty of the language and the story itself [a coming of age story and ode to literature set in Barcelona in 1945].  

Do you consider yourself romantic like your leading men?

I am currently seeing somebody, and sure, she gets flowers. We go to romantic dinners. I show up with gifts, large and small, here and there, just as a surprise, because I care about her. Pretty much what you would consider romantic, I do.  

And the kids are all launched, right?

My twins just graduated from college: One is off to law school, and one is doing Teach for America in South Dakota. So yes, I’m an empty nester. They were the youngest. One of the great things about being a writer is that I was able to have a lot of time with my kids when they were growing up. At the same time, I find a lot of joy as they’re beginning to navigate their 20s and 30s, watching them figure out the path that they’re going to take in life.

So you’re liking this empty nest stage of your life?

I’m not emotionally hurt or sad by their loss or thrilled that they’re out of the house. I’m more, This is what life is supposed to be. And I had the one life. Now I’m in a new one. I enjoyed the last one, and my intent is to enjoy this new one. Eventually when I retire, I’ll say, “OK, this is a new life.” I try to enjoy the various periods for what they offer. I can’t do now what I could do in my 20s or 30s — let’s say dunk a basketball or whatever — but it’s OK, right? Perhaps I have more wisdom.

Random House

Do you think about retirement?

My motto is that as long as I can come up with another good story that feels fresh and original and it meets all the other criteria that I have when selecting the story and writing it, then I’ll keep doing it.

Are you already working on your next novel?

Oh, yeah, about half done.

Anything you can share about the plot?

It will be completely different than anything I’ve ever done before — and it’s a love story set in North Carolina.