"All characters come from people I know, but after the initial inspiration, I tend to modify the characters so they fit with the story"

In this quote, author Nicholas Sparks exposes his process for developing characters in his stories. He discusses that all of his characters are based on individuals he knows in real life, however he then takes creative liberties to modify them to better fit the narrative of his story. This suggests that while Sparks draws motivation from real people, he also understands the value of crafting strong and vibrant characters that satisfy of his storytelling. By modifying his characters, Sparks has the ability to produce a more cohesive and engaging narrative that resonates with readers. This quote highlights the balance between reality and imagination in the art of storytelling.