NICHOLAS SPARKS

BIOGRAPHY

• Inspiration: Family & Misfortunes
• Knows end of book before writing it
• "Can I do it again and can I do it better?"
• 11 out of 16 books converted to movies

-Throughout the works of Sparks, the novel is developed by the recurring theme, characterization, literary devices, and his unique style of writing.

WRITING STYLE

• Love shadowed by tragedy or separation
• Balanced internal & external conflict
• Love portrayed as a universal emotion
• Settings from North Carolina coastal towns

THEME

• Love conquers all
• Everyday characters fall in love
• Characters separate for some time

THE BEST OF ME THEME

• Amanda & Dawson fall in love
• Parents' disapproval forces their split
• Separated for 25 years
• Fall back in love despite their family differences

THE LAST SONG THEME

• Ronnie talks with father after 3 years
• Ronnie falls in love with Will
• Opens up to Will and her father

LITERARY DEVICES

• Understanding of what is happening
• Create the setting and build plot
• Imagery, symbolism, personification

CHARACTERIZATION

• The Last Song: Ronnie
• Beginning: Stubborn, Troubled
• Middle: Opens Up, Starts Enjoying Trip
• End: Loving Girlfriend, Sister, Daughter

CHARACTERIZATION

• The Best of Me: Amanda & Dawson
• Poor vs. Rich
• Always will love each other
• Always bring out the best in each other

CONCLUSION

• Love is never planned or set and stone
• Accidentally & as fast as a flash of light
• Can happen anywhere at anytime

WORKS CITED

• "Best Selling Author Nicholas Sparks." Youtube. The Rush, Shaw TV, 4 Oct. 2013. Web. 4 Feb. 2015.
• Charney, Noah. "Nicholas Sparks: How I Write." The Daily Beast. N.p., 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 3 Feb. 2015.
• "Exclusive Interview With Nicholas Sparks." Youtube. Figment, 12 Apr. 2012. Web. 5 Feb. 2015.
• Hamilton, Geoff, and Brian Jones. "Nicholas Sparks." Encyclopedia of American Popular Fiction. Facts on File, Inc., 2009. Web. 28 Jan. 2015.
• Hynes, Eric. "The Eight Tired Themes of Nicholas Sparks's Love Stories."Village Voice. N.p., 31 Mar. 2010. Web. 29 Jan. 2015.

WORKS CITED 2

• "Meet The Writers- Nicholas Sparks." Youtube. Barnes & Noble Studio, 13 Sept. 2010. Web. 4 Feb. 2015.
• Murray, Noel. "Love, Nicholas Sparks Style." Dissolve.com. Pitchfork Media, Inc., 13 Feb. 2014. Web. 5 Feb. 2015.
• Sparks, Nicholas. The Last Song. Internet Archive. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
• Perpetua, Sophia. "The Read Around: Nicholas Sparks." NY Times. N.p., 4 Nov. 2013. Web. 3 Feb. 2015.
• Sparks, Nicholas. The Best Of Me. New York: Grand Central, 2011. Print.