Nicholas Sparks On Writing New Book, ‘The Return’ Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Close

Nicholas Sparks on His New Best Seller The Return

The Notebook author discusses beekeeping love stories and why writing s no fun

James Quantz Photography from his service in Afghanistan. After his late grandfather leaves him his ramshackle old home and accompanying beehives in rural North Carolina, Trevor takes a break from his medical training in Baltimore to fix up the house and try to understand the mysterious circumstances behind his granddad's recent death. He's helped by Natalie Masterson, a deputy sheriff with aqua-blue eyes who steals his heart but, for some baffling reason, keeps him at arm's length. We talked with Sparks about the new book, his career and how much he enjoys writing (not at all). Here's what we learned. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. The novel is set in New Bern, North Carolina, Sparks’ real-life hometown. I've changed some of the names in the book, but anyone from New Bern will easily recognize exactly which store I'm talking about or Union Point Park or places like that. It's been a long time since I've written a novel set in New Bern. I think the previous one was The Wedding, which came out in 2003, so I figured it was time to let people know how much the town has changed since then. He's gaga about bees. I've always been fascinated by beekeeping and the people who do it. Anyone who keeps bees, they get transfixed because it's the most interesting society on the planet. Every bee has a job. And they're always busy. They're working and doing exactly what they're supposed to do. It's just amazing to watch. And in the book, for instance, when it says Trevor's grandfather would use a bee to sting his knees for his arthritis? I met a man in New Hampshire who did this as I watched. I said, “Oh, you do this every day?” And he said, “Every day, and it takes my arthritis pain away.” It's fascinating. The Return is film ready (sort of). Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > He's OK with being a guy who writes love stories. I'm just thrilled that people enjoy my books. I read wonderful books in all genres by both men and women. And, certainly, even in the love story genre. Ernest Hemingway wrote A Farewell to Arms, right? It's one of his classics and one of my favorite books. A couple of twin brothers wrote the film Casablanca. Erich Segal wrote Love Story. Robert James Waller wrote The Bridges of Madison County. Nicholas Evans wrote The Horse Whisperer. So I'm certainly not the only man who's ever written, I guess, dramatic stories with romantic elements in them. He likes to include older characters in his stories. Noah in The Notebook, he's about 80 years old. You have Ira in The Longest Ride, who also reflects on the grand love story of his life, and he was an older character. In Nights in Rodanthe, the characters certainly are in their 50s. I do try to vary the ages of my characters, and I will continue to do so. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe — luckily, they're fine; they're doing well. On my book tour, of course, safety is the primary concern. I will sign books in advance, prior to any events. We'll see how it goes. It will be a strange tour, unlike any one I've ever done before. But it's important to support local bookstores. It's important for me to be able to thank my readers and to meet the people who enjoy my work. More on entertainment AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS