Dear Chelsea: "Nick & Night with Nicholas Sparks"
Podcast: Dear Chelsea (iHeartPodcasts)
Host: Chelsea Handler
Guest: Nicholas Sparks
Date: October 30, 2025
Episode Overview
In this heartfelt and often hilarious episode, Chelsea Handler welcomes bestselling author Nicholas Sparks to the show. The conversation explores Sparks’ new collaboration with M. Night Shyamalan on the novel Romaine, his career as a master of romance, and candid advice for aspiring writers. As always, the episode features Chelsea and co-host Katherine fielding poignant, real-life listener questions—this week focused on writing, creative risk, and family secrets. The discussion is rich with humor, practical wisdom, and memorable moments.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Nicholas Sparks’ New Novel "Romaine" and Collaboration with M. Night Shyamalan
- Co-Writing Process
- Sparks describes how he and Shyamalan split creative duties: Sparks wrote the novel while Shyamalan handled the film screenplay, each giving the other creative freedom.
- Nicholas Sparks: "The way to think about this is the two of us conceived this story together and then he did one side of the coin, the film side, and I did the other side of the coin, the novel side." (08:29)
- Sparks describes how he and Shyamalan split creative duties: Sparks wrote the novel while Shyamalan handled the film screenplay, each giving the other creative freedom.
- Origin Story
- A quintessential Hollywood moment: their respective managers suggested a partnership, which initially seemed unlikely but ultimately led to a collaborative project.
- Timeline and Process
- Sparks started writing the novel in October 2024 and finished by January 2025, aligned with the film’s production timeline.
- Katherine: "That's such a tight timeline. You wrote the book starting in October, and it's coming out the following October, basically." (12:31)
- Staggered Release Strategy
- Hardcover release precedes the film for marketing reasons, with the paperback to coincide more closely with the movie’s release.
- Cast Commentary
- Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor star in the film adaptation of Romaine.
2. Reflections on a Romance Career and Reader Impact
- Reactions from Readers
- Sparks shares that his stories have inspired both romantic ideals and real-world marriage proposals.
- Nicholas Sparks: “I have heard such stories at my book signings. Right. They're like, ‘Where's my Noah?’” (14:17)
- Sparks shares that his stories have inspired both romantic ideals and real-world marriage proposals.
- Intended Variety
- While known for love stories, Sparks pushes back on being pigeonholed, emphasizing diversity in setting, character age, perspective, theme, and tone.
- Nicholas Sparks: "While it is pigeonholing. Yeah. It's a love story in North Carolina. Aside from Remain, which is set in Cape Cod, it's okay. What I would tell people is, even though it's those two things, it's different than anything else I've ever done." (25:13)
- While known for love stories, Sparks pushes back on being pigeonholed, emphasizing diversity in setting, character age, perspective, theme, and tone.
- On Romance and Real Romantic Gestures
- Sparks acknowledges that genuine romance is often less about grand gestures and more about deeply meaningful, supportive acts within relationships.
- Nicholas Sparks: "She really most appreciated were evenings off, like, where she could just. You take care of the kids. ... She told me that was romantic." (32:07)
- Sparks acknowledges that genuine romance is often less about grand gestures and more about deeply meaningful, supportive acts within relationships.
3. Nicholas Sparks’ Path to Authorship: Leap of Faith & Work Ethic
- Transition from Pharmaceutical Rep to Author
- Sparks wrote The Notebook while working full-time, carving out evening hours for writing instead of watching TV.
- Nicholas Sparks: "I would work my job during the day, but then I have a choice. It's 8pm I can watch TV or chase a dream." (17:37)
- Sparks wrote The Notebook while working full-time, carving out evening hours for writing instead of watching TV.
- Practical Advice for Aspiring Writers
- Don’t quit your day job; use spare time to incrementally develop your craft.
- Set realistic, achievable daily goals (Sparks aimed for 2,000 words/day).
- Nicholas Sparks: "You crank out 500 words or a thousand words, eventually the novel's gonna get done." (21:50)
- The importance of perseverance: His earlier novels were unpublished, but routine discipline led to eventual success.
- Chelsea Handler: "You do have to make the choice to do the work, you know, in order to take the chance to try something new, you have to put the effort in." (27:59)
4. Writing Process and Discipline
- Creative Routine
- Sparks is an early riser but prefers to write after coffee and working out—usually starting around 9am and writing 3–5 hours per day.
- Nicholas Sparks: "I'm usually up about 4:30 or 5 most mornings. But I can't start my day without coffee. ... Then I like to exercise, you know." (29:38)
- Sparks is an early riser but prefers to write after coffee and working out—usually starting around 9am and writing 3–5 hours per day.
- Handling Writer’s Block
- Sometimes has to wait days for inspiration; once the idea arrives, the words flow.
- Nicholas Sparks: "...It's not a faucet that you can turn on. ... If you don't know what to do, man, there's no reason to put any words down at all." (31:06)
- Sometimes has to wait days for inspiration; once the idea arrives, the words flow.
- Editing and Finalizing Drafts
- Extensive self-editing is crucial before submitting work to agents or publishers.
- Nicholas Sparks: "I would say every sentence in every one of my novels, I probably examined closely word by word...15 times." (63:01)
- Extensive self-editing is crucial before submitting work to agents or publishers.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Hollywood Collaborations:
"My people got to with his people. I don't know, they were at a party or something, said, hey, we should get Nick and Night. They should do something..." (09:25, Nicholas Sparks) -
On Impact of Romance Novels:
"There must have been so many couples that read your books or leave the theater after seeing these movies and just leave their boyfriends." (13:12, Chelsea Handler) -
On Genuine Gestures:
“What she really most appreciated were evenings off...She told me that was romantic.” (32:07, Nicholas Sparks) -
On Facing Fear in Creativity:
“If I am scared of something, I move towards it even more forcefully.” (62:30, Chelsea Handler) -
How Sparks Manages His Time:
"I'll fart around on my phone just like everybody does, but I probably, you know, I work out a couple hours a day. I probably read two or three hours a day. I work five or six hours a day..." (28:19, Nicholas Sparks)
Listener Calls and Advice Segments
Caller Keisha: Building a Freelance Writing Career (39:49)
- Issue: Aspiring writer navigating freelance gigs, marketability, and social media presence.
- Advice:
- Sparks: Clarify your desired writing path before strategizing (e.g., novels, screenplays, children’s books).
- Consider anthologizing short stories or unifying them within a broader narrative.
- Chelsea: Don’t let the market dictate your creativity; focus on your passion and allocate dedicated time for progress.
- Both: Platforms and online presence can evolve later; the priority is honing your unique perspective.
Caller Lynn: Reconnecting with an Estranged Family Member (49:00)
- Issue: Ate years of secrecy in seeing her estranged sister and including her own kids, now unsure how to 'come clean' with her parents.
- Advice:
- Sparks: It's better to be honest, even if it's difficult. “They have a relationship with a facade of you ... I'd rather you know the real me and choose.” (51:27)
- Chelsea & Katherine: Offer the relevant truth without unnecessary detail; lead by example for your own children.
- Tactical tip (Sparks): Drop the news before you leave, so the parents can react privately.
Caller Carrie: The Fear of Sharing Personal Writing (62:29)
- Issue: Finished a memoir-like book about trauma and resilience, but paralyzed by fear of vulnerability.
- Advice:
- Chelsea: Fear is a challenge meant to be faced. “Walk through that door, Carrie.”
- Sparks: Reread, self-edit thoroughly, and accept the necessity of feedback and critique.
- Both: The hardest part is taking the first step.
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Intro / Tour Dates Announcement: 02:23
- Nicholas Sparks joins the conversation: 06:32
- Discussion of “Romaine” and co-writing with M. Night Shyamalan: 08:00 – 13:07
- On the Romance Genre, Fan Reactions, and Creative Range: 13:59 – 26:54
- Nicholas Sparks’ Career Journey & Practical Writing Advice: 16:54 – 25:13
- Routine & Creative Process: 27:59 – 31:11
- Listener Call: Keisha (Freelance Writing, Motivation): 39:49 – 48:45
- Listener Call: Lynn (Family Reconciliation): 49:00 – 57:34
- Listener Call: Carrie (Overcoming Fear to Share Writing): 62:29 – 65:16
Closing Thoughts
The episode is a blend of practical, deeply human writing wisdom and the sharp, warm honesty that defines Dear Chelsea. Sparks' journey from pharmaceutical rep to literary powerhouse inspires the would-be novelist and romantic in all. The advice dispensed—to persevere, to prioritize authenticity, to face creative fear head-on—brims with generosity and lived experience.
Chelsea Handler’s signature humor wraps the show:
"No shit. I mean, I wish I gave the advice I give to other people to myself, because it’s much different.” (60:40)
Final word:
Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Whether writing, reconnecting, or taking a risk—“Walk through that door.”
For more: Read Nicholas Sparks’ Romaine and stay tuned for its film adaptation in 2026. Catch Chelsea Handler’s High and Mighty Tour (dates announced in episode).