new york times bestselling author Janet Ok She is a woman who loves God and loves writing about what God is doing in her life so that others can experience what God is doing in them. In a rare interview with CrosswalkHeadlines, the 90-year-old Oke said she feels she still has a lot to write about, and that she takes pleasure in doing so, and just recently announced that she has another book due out next year. He said he had just signed a contract. Oke, a pastor’s wife who lives in a Canadian retirement home, is grateful for what God has done in his life. When Oke began writing in his 40s, Christian publishers were not yet printing fiction books. But Oke knew the mission God had called her to and her purpose. That may also explain why she thinks her pace will not slow down even in her later years…
Janet Ok: I’ve always been interested in writing. My husband was a pastor and then served as president of our small denomination’s college. We were a family of four, so my writing was put on hold until my children were teenagers. As I look back, I am amazed at all that God has done and how He has moved us forward step by step. I was already in my early 40s. We were still very busy and Christian publishers weren’t publishing novels. But God gave me the desire to write novels for young women and teens. It wasn’t supposed to work, but it did. God has given me a ministry far beyond anything I could have dreamed of. Our readership is wide-ranging, regardless of age or gender. And books are published in many languages. My writing has been more than a profession to me, it has been a service and has allowed me to share my faith with many people I will never meet in this life. I call these books “paper missionaries” because they go places I could never go.
CH: Why do you think your books resonate and form a community with others?
Orchestra: Whenever there is a ministry in some heart that responds to God’s message, it is the work of the Holy Spirit. We can share our faith and inspire a response, but only God can change hearts. There are things we can do, and we have tried to do our part faithfully. All books are written for readers, not critics. I have tried to express my faith in some way in each different story. As I write this for those who will read this book in the future, I pray that God will respond to their hearts, pleasures, and needs. I also try to create interesting characters that are simple, easy to read, and that readers want to spend time with.
CH: How was it? hearties group shape?
Orchestra:I had nothing to do with starting Hearties. It started with viewers of television shows connecting with each other on the internet and chatting about the events of the characters in the story. A friendship blossomed, and soon they were sharing not only the show, but their own life interests and even prayer requests. Brian Byrd, one of his show producers, heard about it and got involved, and it became more organized and more viewers joined the group. Ultimately, the filmmakers decided to organize a fall Hearty event where interested parties could visit the film set and interact with the film’s stars, crew, and staff. This attracted a lot of interest. People from many other countries also attend Hearties Reunion. After several years of canceled gatherings due to the coronavirus, Hearties Reunions has resumed. Brian Byrd’s capable and talented wife Patti has spent much of her time arranging and coordinating these events.
CH: How have you been able to continue writing during these difficult times?
Orchestra: It was often extremely busy, stressful, and draining of energy. Add in children’s stories, and in addition to writing two or three books a year, there were many speaking engagements and special events, a large amount of email that I personally responded to, and a busy family. I also had family and special friends who were very important to me.
It took strength, energy, clarity of mind, time, and wisdom. Illness, special occasions, and family needs sometimes interrupted normal life. I’ve found that while I can plan and prepare new works, when it comes to the first draft of a book, I need uninterrupted writing time. I first used a house while my sister was away, then rented a hotel room, then bought an empty farmhouse and renovated it, and finally bought a condo in the nearby mountains. I took time off by myself and continued writing from morning until night, and the first draft was completed in no time. I was then able to go home and make the modifications in parallel with my other work. Still, we need to rely on God’s help and guidance every day. And be prepared to organize and plan your schedule as much as possible to make the most of your time.
CH: How do you decide what to write?
Orchestra: I’m sure each writer will answer that question a little differently. I once wrote, “Ideas are like birds hiding in the grass along the road.” And you never know when a person will be surprised or inspired to take flight. ” From various events, promptings from life, prayers, and words someone casually utters. Ideas come from life as a whole. Some are easy to use. Others take more time and effort. Many will be discarded, but you may start thinking about a different path. But basically, it all comes back to “life”. What is life trying to teach us? What is God trying to teach us? And in what situations, who can best address that problem? But often it’s not sitting down and thinking, “Okay, what do I want to write?” , a single thought that, for some reason, sends you on a trajectory of thought that needs to be developed in order to create a story.
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CH: How much weight does prayer play in your writing?
Orchestra: Prayer is of paramount importance at every stage of creation. It begins when I receive an idea for a story, and I continue to pray in my own way throughout the process. Many times over the course of my writing, new ideas and directions have come to mind that I hadn’t planned ahead as part of the story. You may also find yourself in a situation where you don’t know how to proceed. Prayer can guide you through such times.
CH: What advice would you give to people who want to make a living writing?
Orchestra: Be prepared for hard work. Recognize that it is a “job” that requires a lot of time and attention. You may have to sacrifice other things you love to make your dreams come true. Expect to need encouragement and help from family and friends. If you are in a family relationship and writing takes away your time and attention from those you love and those you have promised to support, please seriously think and pray about how this will work for you. Burning may not work until these issues are resolved. If you feel this is God’s leading to fulfill His plan for the gifts He has given you, then move forward prayerfully but boldly, seeking His direction.
Writing is a legitimate profession. There is so much to write about and so many ways to communicate through the written word. Still, if you are a follower of Christ and God has given you the skill to share knowledge, life, and stories, you should not hesitate to use that gift. You don’t have to feel like everything you write needs to be preachy or spiritual. But as a believer, like everything else in life, what you do and say must glorify God.
However, a common caveat for new writers is, “Don’t quit your day job.” One of his ways of explaining the world of writing is through the use of large icebergs. You can only see part of it. All the rest is below the surface. So, about writing too. Far more people are writers than the few who gain recognition. When he received his first writer’s check, he learned that he received 10 cents for every book he sold. As the years passed, the price of books rose and more books were sold. But if you’re serious about writing as a career, it’s wise to have a good backup plan.
CH: How can we be better connected in the body of Christ?
Orchestra: We need community to connect. There are many things in our daily life that attract us. Even though we can now sit at home and listen to good service, it does not replace the need to actually gather together. Christ said to his disciples, “Love one another.” It’s hard to love someone you don’t know. If you really love them, you will be interested in them. You will want to share with them in some way. Eat together, laugh together, cry together. Make them feel like family. If we are from different cultures, even more intentional planning is required. But if we are intentional about it, learning from each other can be very enriching.
Janet Oke headshot courtesy of Baker Publishing
