I read Sparks to learn how to manipulate reader emotions. He is the best author I know for writing emotions. And he makes a lot of money doing it.
After reading three or so of his novels and having watched another three or four movies based on his novels I'm beginning to notice a familiar pattern. But the pattern sells books so I'm not going to throw stones at it.
A shout out of appreciation to the folks at Cracked.com for a really funny take off How to Write a Nicholas Sparks Movie. Go to www.cracked.com/funny-4725-nicholas-sparks/ to see it full-sized. 
