Satirizing Nicholas Sparks’ Love Stories

Rachel ThomasENG 112

November 2014

How to Write Like Nicholas Sparks

10 Simple Steps to Writing a Sparks

Worthy Love Story

1. The Setting: Beach(Must Have)

Safe Haven Dear John Nights in Rodanthe

The Last Song The Notebook

• Creates the stereotypical beach romance• A great way for characters to get to know each other

2. Boats (Optional)

Messa

ge

in a

B

ottle

Th

e Lu

cky O

neS

afe

Haven

Th

e N

ote

book

• Stereotype: boats=romantic• A great date idea

3. Kissing in the Rain(Optional)

Dear John The Notebook

The Best of Me

• Stereotype: all females want to be kissed in the rain

• Romantic

4. Main Character is New in Town(Optional)

Safe Haven

The Lucky One

The Last Song• Stereotype:

New people are always attractive and intriguing

• It does create mystery in a person and makes you want to get to know them

5. Strong (Single) Father Figure(Must Have)

Th

e N

ote

book

Th

e La

st Song

Dear Jo

hn

Safe

Haven

6. Include an Unforeseen Separation(Must Have)

Dear John: War

The Notebook: Parents

The Last Song: Lying

• Stereotype: the couples will always come back together

• Keeps the audience interested and curious

7. Letter Writing(Optional)

Dear JohnSafe Haven

Message in a Bottle

The Notebook

• A way for them to express their love

8. A Second Love Interest, Ex, ect…(Must Have)

The Lucky One The Notebook

Dear John Safe Haven

• Stereotype: there is always love triangles or someone trying to break you up

• Keeps the audience guessing

9. Death(Must Have)

Cancer

A Walk to Remember

Safe Haven

Dear John

The Last Song

The Notebook

Dear John

The Lucky One

Safe Haven

10. A Great Cover(Must Have Them Nearly Kissing with Hands on Face)