| American writer, author of bestsellers on themes of Christian love, tragedy, and fate. Date of Birth: 31.12.1965 Country: USA |
Nicholas Charles Sparks, an American writer, is known for his bestselling novels on themes of Christian love, tragedy, and destiny. Born on December 31, 1965, Sparks possesses a rare talent for writing about romantic love, duty, loyalty, Christian and family values. Despite having published only a relatively small number of books, Sparks has become a renowned author with eighteen works that have made it onto the bestseller list and have been translated into 45 languages, including Russian. His books have sold over 80 million copies worldwide. Eight of his novels have been adapted into films, with two more currently in production.
Nicholas Sparks, the second of three children, was born to college professor Patrick Michael Sparks and his wife Jill Emma. He was born just eight minutes before the start of the New Year 1966. The family moved from Omaha, where Nicholas was born, to Minnesota, then to Los Angeles, before finally settling in Fair Oaks, California. The Sparks family lived modestly until Patrick obtained his professorship. Despite their financial challenges, Nicholas excelled academically, was successful in sports, and received a scholarship to attend the prestigious Catholic University of Notre Dame in Indiana. In 1985, Nicholas was part of a freshman relay team that set a university record in running, a record that still stands today. However, his athletic pursuits led to a tendon injury, and it was during his first summer break that Nicholas wrote his first manuscript, a novel titled "The Separation," which remained unpublished.
In 1988, Sparks graduated from the university with honors. That same year, he also met his future wife, Catherine Cote, who was a fellow student at the time. They got married a year later, but their happiness was short-lived. Just a month and a half after their wedding, Nicholas's mother tragically died at the age of 47, following a horseback riding accident. Catherine and Nicholas then relocated to Sacramento. To support their growing family, Nicholas worked as a waiter, real estate agent, and sold orthopedic products. However, he continued his literary endeavors, but his second novel, "The Royal Murders," also failed to interest publishers.
In 1994, Nicholas Sparks co-authored his first published book, "Wokini: A Lakota Journey to Happiness and Self-Understanding," with Olympic champion Billy Mills, an ethnic Native American. The popular psychology genre found appreciative readers, but the sales were not sufficient to support the family, as they had a son by then. Sparks ventured into the pharmaceutical business, but his growing prosperity couldn't overshadow his passion for writing. Sparks made a promise to himself: he would write three more novels, and if they were not published, he would stop writing altogether.
In 1994, unexpectedly, success came knocking. He signed a million-dollar contract for his novel "The Notebook," which quickly became a bestseller. The first purchase Sparks made with his writing advance was a new engagement ring for his wife. However, his triumph was soon overshadowed by another family tragedy when his 54-year-old father died in a car accident. To cope with the pain of loss, Sparks started writing his next novel, "Message in a Bottle," which revolved around a man who throws bottles with letters to his deceased wife into the ocean. Even before completing the novel, the film rights were purchased. The movie starred Kevin Costner and Paul Newman. Following this success, Sparks left the pharmaceutical business and dedicated himself entirely to his writing career.
Nicholas Sparks went on to write several more bestselling novels, including "A Walk to Remember," "Nights in Rodanthe," and "The Last Song," among others. Many of his works have been adapted into films, although fans of Sparks' writing often claim that the movies fail to capture the unique charm of his storytelling, which involves the slow development of emotions and simultaneous emotional intensity. His stories of love, which endure joy and sorrow, health and illness, and even death, unfold in unexpected ways, leaving readers to contemplate their own lives from a new perspective.
Today, Nicholas Sparks, his wife Catherine, and their five children reside in New Bern, North Carolina. The writer has not abandoned his love for sports and maintains an active lifestyle. He runs 30 miles every week, regularly exercises in the gym, and holds a black belt in Taekwondo. Sparks is involved in the work of various civic and charitable organizations at both the local and national levels. He is the founder of the Nicholas Sparks Foundation, which annually distributes $10 million for charitable and educational projects. Additionally, he established the Creative Writing Program at the University of Notre Dame, which provides scholarships and internships to aspiring writers.