Nicholas Sparks; The Author of Romance

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Recommended: Critical appreciation of Nicholas Sparks novels

II. Background
Nicholas Sparks was born on December 31, 1965, in Omaha, Nebraska (Jessica Estremera). He was the second of three children born to Patrick Sparks, a college professor, and his wife Jill. Nicholas spent the early part of his childhood moving around with his family as his father finished up his graduate work (Biography Channel website). "Because my father was a student until I was 9 years old and my mother didn't work, we weren't exactly living the high life when I was little. I grew up on powdered milk and ate tons of potatoes, though to be honest, I never noticed how poor we really were until I was old enough to take an honest appraisal of things. Even then, it didn't matter. For the most part, I had a wonderful childhood and wouldn't change a thing.," Nicholas stated in an interview. The University of Notre Dame had offered Sparks a full track scholarship. In 1985, during his freshman year, Sparks was part of a relay team that set a school track record that still stands. But the season did not end on a good note for the future author: An Achilles tendon injury slowed things down for Sparks, and forced him to spend the summer recuperating. In the year 1988 Sparks graduated with honors and also met Catherine Cote, his future wife, who soon later married (Jessica Estremera). The day after he and his bride got married, Sparks heard the story which inspired The Notebook. Cathy’s grandparents were too ill to travel to the ceremony the day before, so the Sparks’ decided they would bring the wedding to them, redressing in tuxedo and gown and taking pictures at Cathy’s grandparents' home. Nicholas observed how Cathy’s grandfather treated his wife with great respect and admiration. The story of their love was recited to Sp...

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...azine, 06 Oct. 2003. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
Amy Kaufman. "Nicholas Sparks Is a Master of Romance." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 04 Feb. 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
Estremera, Jessica. Nicholas Sparks: A Biography. Hyperink. 2012. Print.
"NCW--What the Critics Say About Nicholas Sparks." NCW--What the Critics Say About Nicholas Sparks. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. "Nicholas Sparks Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
Nickell, Kelly. "Writing on Instinct: Nicholas Sparks." WritersDigestcom. WritersDigestcom, 11 Mar. 2008. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
Schillinger, Liesl. "Eclipse Children's Books / Young Adult." The New York Times. The New York Times, 11 Aug. 2007. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
Sparks, Nicholas. At First Sight. New York: Warner, 2005. Print.
"Stephenie Meyer Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.

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