Nicholas Sparks has become a powerhouse author. He consistently tops the New York Times Bestseller List and has authored notable titles such as The Notebook, Message in a Bottle, and A Walk to Remember. His short, unpretentious volumes have reached readers in a multitude of countries and languages. To date, his books have sold an estimated 52 million copies.

There is no denying the substantial nature of these achievements. However, in order to truly understand Sparks’s work, it is necessary to be familiar with his biographical background.

Nicholas Sparks was born on New Year’s Eve in Omaha, Nebraska, 1965. He graduated valedictorian of his high school class, and, being a gifted track star, was consequently offered a full-ride scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. He accepted this offer.

Sparks reflects fondly on his college years. His personal website describes Notre Dame with the following words: “good friends, lots of football games, studying like crazy, competing in track.” It was during this time that he met his future wife, Catherine.

It was also at Notre Dame that Sparks finished his first book. After injuring his Achilles tendon during track season, the future author was confined to his house and terrifically bored. His mother insisted that he do something to occupy himself, and half-jokingly, suggested that he write a book. That is precisely what he did.

The completion of The Passing made Sparks a teenage author. He finished a second book at age twenty-two; however, he has personally confirmed that neither of these works will be published.

During his mid-twenties, Nicholas Sparks and his wife Catherine bought a home and started a family. They chose to settle in North Carolina – a location which would later inspire the setting for the majority of his novels. Sparks earned about $40,000 each year until Warner Books purchased the rights to The Notebook. He has been publishing bestsellers ever since.

Sparks does not limit his literary life to writing, however. On average, he reads one hundred and twenty-five books a year, and has composed extensive “recommended reading” lists for aspiring authors. He describes Stephen King as “the only modern contemporary writer of fiction that I feel certain will be read 100 years from now,” and is an avid fan of King’s work.

The wealth Sparks accumulated through his writing allowed him to begin work in philanthropy. A strong advocate of education, he opened a new Christian high school in 2005 in New Bern, North Carolina. “The Epiphany School” serves grades five through twelve and focuses primarily on seminar-style learning. In addition, he currently coaches track and field at New Bern High School. Under his supervision, the team has gained exceptional prestige, standing out at nationwide events such as the Nike Indoor Nationals.

Between running a school and running the track, Sparks still finds time to write romance. His continued presence at the top of bestseller lists serves as a constant reminder of his literary productivity, which has no signs of slowing down. He is expected to continue writing in the decades to come.

Source:

• Nicholas Sparks Official Website