The king of romance novels N. Sparks: “My books can be prescribed as medicine for sadness” | Culture

“My books can be prescribed as a cure for sadness,” the 58-year-old writer claimed in an exclusive interview with Lithuanian readers. – Their most important component is the feeling of hope.

Life is hard: ups and downs, good times and bad. Love and separation, loved ones and their loss… It’s hard to live without hope. In my books I write regarding feelings, love, loss and hope. My favorite author and inspiration is Stephen King. When he writes, he always has in mind that the story must interest the readers. And I follow this attitude, although, of course, our genres are very different.”

Publisher’s photo/”Country of Dreams”

“Svajonių šarias”, which has just been published in Lithuanian (published by BALTO publishing house), is the writer’s twenty-third novel. Both these books, as well as the rights to the screen adaptations of “The Last Wish” and “The Return”, which came out a little earlier, have already been sold, as well as the latest English-language novel “Counting Miracles”.

A good half of Sparks’ works have been successfully adapted for the screen – at least thirteen if we count the TV movies. Paradoxically, in these fierce and calculating times, strong love stories, which usually take place once morest the backdrop of the beautiful scenery of North Carolina, are in crazy demand. The novels have been translated into half a dozen languages, with a circulation of 115 million copies.

The screen adaptations, which he himself adores and compares to music, feature the most famous actors of our time. Fifteen of his books have topped The New York Times bestseller list, and their author frequently appears on Forbes’ highest-paid author lists, though well behind the top 10 topped by Joanne Rowling’s billion. Sparks’ fortune is estimated at 40 million dollars.

The famous writer, whose fame would be the envy of many a Hollywood star, still lives quite down to earth in New Bern, where he moved thirty years ago. The action of the first novel “The Notebook” takes place here, and the character of “Wonderland” escapes from here to sunny Florida.

The creator himself also likes to travel – in the last ten years he has visited many places, seeing as many corners of the world as possible has become his passion.

It is accepted to call him the last romantic of the 20th and 21st centuries, although readers who appreciate the sensual and dreamy books of Sparks distinguish them from the usual romance novels with a light hand. The writer’s stories of feelings are strong, sincere and recognizable, and he himself believes that the secret of his stories are emotions that are missing in everyday life.

It can only be reminded that his first novel, “Notebooks”, which is still considered the most romantic, appeared at the end of the last century. Before the book came out, literary agent Theresa Park sold the film rights to the novel to Time Warner Book Group.

A million dollars – then a fabulous amount – allowed the writer to stop selling drugs, move to North Carolina, buy his then-wife Cathy a real wedding ring – following getting married, yesterday’s students who had just graduated from the university might not spend, Mrs. Sparks received a proper courtship only seven years later. As well as the beautiful words that Nicholas was happy to share with journalists. “I don’t know where life will take us, but I want to be with you,” he said.

Unfortunately, neither a beautiful story, nor five children, nor love stories that enchant women all over the world might save their marriage. Although the sky can see – both tried. A couple of years before the divorce, Mr. and Mrs. Sparks told People reporters how they always value marital bonds the most, go for walks and vacations, or at least travel alone a few times a year.

Unfortunately, in 2015, the quarter-century-old union broke up. The writer called the discreetly made decision difficult, spoke regarding preserved friendship, mutual respect and unifying love for children. He emphasizes that divorce is a personal matter, and only in conversation does he say that he likes to spend time with grown-up children: he has raised three sons and twins, who are already twenty-one.

One suspects that the couple’s love and breakup story has been covered in one of Sparks’ recent books. The author of the interview says that he often uses his own experience and that of those around him. “I think this authenticity is transferred to the reader: my stories are based on everyday honesty, so people identify with the characters and their desires…

I try to convey all the emotions experienced by ordinary people, so that readers can recognize their own joy, sorrow, passion, attachment and loss”, the writer thinks, just like the character of “Dreamland” musician Kolby, who tried several specialties, but always returned to writing.

He liked this activity even in high school, but he considered the first texts, which were never published, as test essays before serious work. They decided to publish only a non-fiction book regarding the spiritual beliefs and practices of the Lakota Indians; it sold 50,000 copies in its first year, a far cry from Sparks’ millions today.

Fans around the world worried regarding how the divorce would affect the writer’s work – he had repeatedly called Cathy, a former loan company manager, his muse. However, even without a muse, he retained a special diligence: he himself said that he writes a novel until lunch, then rests for a while, then works with screenwriters and producers.

By following a strict schedule, he can write a book every year. The last romantic is not only a very business man, but also a philanthropist: in 2008, he donated almost 900 thousand dollars to install a new outdoor running track at New Bern High School, volunteered as a coach – he was a promising runner in his teens, received a sports scholarship and dreamed of the Olympic Games, but seriously the injury hindered the athlete’s career.

He gave another 10 million to a private school, funding scholarships and internships at the University of Notre Dame’s creative writing program, from which Andai himself graduated.

Where should fans of his books (and fans) from Lithuania visit if they want to walk in the footsteps of the heroes of the novels? “Most of my stories are set in North Carolina, where I live. Also, almost every year I entertain on the beach in St. Pete, where the action of “Dreamland” takes place.

I always stay at the Don CeSar Hotel in Florida (I also stayed there with Morgan and her friends). I hope that fans of the novel will appreciate the hours spent there, which I cherish very much. Readers (and readers) might follow in Colby and Morgana’s footsteps by kayaking, wandering around the Salvador Dalí Museum, hanging out on the beach, and of course, listening to real-sounding music!”