Nicholas Sparks

We're getting close to Valentine's Day and in preparation, here are some writing tips from romance author Nicholas Sparks:

1. Write 2,000 Words Every Day.

Committing to 2,000 words a day is a surefire way to improve your writing effectively.

2. Don't Be Afraid to Write Out of Order.

The Longest Ride follows two couples (four POVs) whose fates at some point intertwine. Due to it being difficult to write two male voices simultaneously, he wrote nearly the entire story of one couple first, then wrote the second couple’s story, then put the two together into a narrative that made sense.

3. Write About Your Family.

The Notebook was based on Sparks’ wife’s grandparents & A Walk to Remember was based on his sister.

Write one chapter of a romance novel based on one or more of your family members. For an extra challenge, try writing two separate narratives that eventually intertwine (Spark's Tip: write out of order).

Valentine's Day Tip:
Give your story to your loved one as an extra-special gift.