Nicholas Sparks’s novel, The Last Song, embodies all the similar elements of his other great works. The difference in his latest masterpiece is that he wrote the screenplay before the book, a book he was sought to create. In both, he tells the story of Ronnie, a snarly, yet tenderhearted teen, who finds herself through love and loss one magical summer.
“I’m very pleased with how the book came out. It came about differently, but I have always been interested in challenges throughout my career. This project was one that sounded like it could be a lot of fun.” The novel and screenplay are the result of Disney approaching Sparks. Nashville’s own Miley Cyrus expressed interest in working with him, and Disney tied it all together. “I doubt that in writing the novel it had much impact; knowing Miley would play Ronnie.
“I knew who Miley was, but I wasn’t picturing her face as I wrote the novel. In the end when I sit down and write, I do just that – sit down and write the best [novel] I can. Screenplays are about structure instead of style. Once I had that written, I then worked to craft the best possible story within the concept.”
How does Sparks craft a story? “I know it when I see it. The character, introduction to characters, how they meet and all the events within the novel – those present themselves. What is she, what he is, when everything clicks and I say ‘aha!’ That is when it feels exactly how I needed it to feel.
“The process of writing a story is different for every novelist. I have to know the ending for a novel. I set out to make every character, scene, and setting meet the criteria of feeling original, interesting and universal. Those are the three key factors. The hard part is to achieve all three.
“If you look at the character of Haninbal Lecter, he is interesting and original but not universal.” Readers will not typically encounter a sociopath walking down the street. “To do all three is very difficult.” But it’s the foundation that Sparks lays to construct his stories.
For The Last Song, Sparks focused on “what forces these characters to spend time together? Based on their initial meeting, Ronnie didn’t like Will – so why would they be forced to be together?” Sparks spent three weeks researching options and chose one “that felt original – I hadn’t seen before. I knew it was right when I found it.
“What was different about Ronnie was not the teen angst. I was a teenager, and I dated teenage girls. The most challenging part was the fact that she is not very likable in the beginning of the story. She was rude and hung out with the wrong crowd.” Part of her rough introduction is what makes Ronnie relatable and engaging to the reader, and at the end of the novel, “you adore Ronnie” because she is human and evolves as she opens herself up to her audience.
Spoiler Alert:
There are many touching and heart-wrenching moments throughout the novel, as it deals with love, loss and redemption on equal footings. What was one of the hardest for Sparks to create? “When Jonah was saying goodbye to his father – that was probably one of the saddest scenes I have ever written.
“[Writing] Steve was challenging because he is nothing like I am – that was the challenge. I had to decide ‘what is going on with him and who is he?’ Life is too short to spend it in anger was the answer to Steve’s character.
“Steve was written for adults. He has his own journey. This is not just a teenage love story. Steve had to ponder the big questions in life. [He has to ask] How do you know God is here? I am running out of time; is this it?”
Writing from different perspectives, Sparks has learned to trust himself and the characters to bring the depth, and authentic emotion into the stories. “I trust myself, but I also edit, edit and edit. I type 70 words per minute, and I try to write five hours (2000 words) per day.
“What this equates to is my spending six minutes of the hour typing and fifty-four minutes rewriting and rethinking.” Writing is more than a passion for Sparks; it’s his business and one he executes with fluidity and efficiency. Great words may write themselves, but the cohesive structure of the paragraph, plot and dialog are all worked over and over.
Why does Sparks spend so much energy combing through each word, each sentence? “Every time I write, I want to write the best novel I can. I want each one to be the all time favorite.” Sparks also wants to reach his readers. “Themes of faith and fate are intrinsic to the genre I write. Like Shakespeare, I use faith, fate, love, loss, anger and all emotions because they are part of life. My goal is for my readers to be able to read and view these moments in life.”
Sparks listens when those readers speak. “My readers are very important. Writing is a challenge, and I’m drawn to it. I take their suggestions seriously and will act on them, depending on what they are.”
Sparks also provides in-depth advice to writers on how to achieve success (located on his website). “I try to give advice that you can’t find elsewhere. The first step is to find out what kind of writer you want to be.” Once you realize your goals, Sparks has broken down the complicated dance of how to reach them.
Nicholas Sparks has the Midas touch. He brings delight to his millions of readers and coaches track and field for the undisputed champions of New Bern High, who have won seven national championships. They are Sparks’ pride and joy, an extension of his family, and “there has never been another team like them.”
Sparks has no regrets. He lives a life of contentment, bringing human emotion into readers’ lives daily while watching his family grow. Stories are yet to be told, and Sparks will bring them with the same touch of magic and heartfelt sentiment. The only thing to do is sit back and wait, for where there is a love story being written, Sparks can likely be found at the helm of the pen.
For more on Nicholas Sparks visit his website at: http://www.nicholassparks.com/
For more on New Bern High and their talented track and field team go to: http://www.ihigh.com/school2825/
.jpg)
Images courtesy of Nicholas Sparks's website
Comments
I just finished reading the book and truly, " heart wrenching " Nicholas Sparks knows how to how to get to the core. I admit,I cried....a LOT!!! And yes, the part where Jonah ('luv his character) and Steve said their goodbyes?...that was too painful. In the end, i was happy that it was fiction (just to make me feel better, i guess). I coudn't imagine if it wasn't.Once again, i love all your books/novels, Mr. Sparks! Keep them coming and i couldn't wait till then next one comes, but why do i have a feeling that there's a continuation of this book, The Last Song (???)GREAT JOB!!!!!
i just done reading the last song and there is one thing to say mr. sparks is the best.
Fell in love with Nicholas Spark after watching the notebook and nights in Rodanthe. Notebook I watch over and over and feel it's one of the best love stories ever. Then I read The Last Song and cried my eyes out. It was sad and fulfilling all at once. So glad they got a chance to be together again. Yesterday I read Dear John cover to cover as I couldn't put it down...and cried and cried! I appreciate the point he was trying to make about true love and sacrifice...but come on Nick...they deserve a chance to be together after such sacrifice!!! You must do a sequel to Dear John allow John and Savannah have a life of love and grow old together after Tim passes. Life can't be so unfair and in a book I like to escape the harsh reality of life, love and the tragedies for some hope of sweet rewards after the sacrifice...I need to know that there is hope of that....
i love nicholas sparks he is the best author i have ever known. I have read at least 20 of his books. I love you nicholas. and Dear Jhon was a great book. I like The Rescue that is a cute one and i also like A Bend in the Road thats a good one and The Notebook I also love that one. Bye
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!