Janette Oke spreads the ‘Love’
FAITH & FAMILY: The author discusses the way her stories are told on DVD
By Cindy Spielvogel -- Video Business, 12/21/2007
DEC. 21 | FAITH & FAMILY: Author Janette Oke was born during the depression years to a Canadian prairie farmer and his wife. She met her husband while attending Bible college, and they went on to raise four children while pastoring churches in Canada and the U.S. Oke’s first novel, Love Comes Softly, a story about pioneer life with spiritual themes, was published by Bethany House in 1979. It led to a series of books as well as films made for The Hallmark Channel by Michael Landon Jr.
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VB: Are your titles for the Christian or general market?
Oke: Well, certainly I would want to say they’re good for the general market. They do have faith-based content, but I think a good share of our citizenship would agree with it or at the very least tolerate it.
VB: Was Love Comes Softly based on anything in your life?
Oke: Not personally in my life, but it is set in the West in the pioneer era. I was born and raised in Alberta. I lived in a part of the province where we actually had neighbors who were original settlers. I grew up with the feeling of the New West and the harsh reality of how tough it was for those pioneers. I heard some of those stories growing up.
VB: What do you think of the movies based on your books?
Oke: When I sign a contract with my publishing house, Bethany House, I sign away all rights to anything, so I was not involved. I had a phone call from Michael Landon Jr.—it was a courtesy call. I had no legal rights at all. He was very much a gentleman. It was his way of including me in it. That was very nice of him. I think Michael has done a wonderful job. Hallmark makes good products, and I’m blessed to have Fox distributing them. It’s a good mix. They created a good product with a good message. I’m very pleased with how things have gone and how the films have been accepted by the public. I get letters, and they express their appreciation. I’ve talked with writers in the past whose books have been made into films, and they’ve been upset. I appreciated the effort that has been put in, every part of it. I’m pleased.
VB: What DVDs do you like yourself?
Oke: I enjoyed the Christy series. I’m more into the family-type stories. I’m not much of a movie buff; I prefer to read. I usually prefer the book.
