MovieChat Forums > Love's Unfolding Dream (2007) Discussion > A message from the writers of Love Comes...

A message from the writers of Love Comes Softly

posted 17 years ago by Screnwrit1
17 replies | jump to latest

My name is Cindy Kelley & I am Michael Landon Jr's writing partner. Michael
& I wrote Love Comes Softly together which started the "Love" franchise
based on Janette Oke's books. We went on to write Love's Enduring Promise,
Love's Long Journey & most recently the sixth movie in the series (airing in
December) - Love's Unfolding Dream. I know Michael (and I) both appreciate all the fans who support these movies and I felt it important to let you know that decisions made regarding story lines and casting are sometimes decided by factors outside of the control of the writer and director. That said, hopefully you will find Love's Unending Legacy (written by Pamela Wallace) and Love's Unfolding Dream both touching and entertaining.

[–] Bladerunner 17 years ago

That sounds very frightening. I have really enjoyed the movies of this series, as have (surprisingly) my two boys (10 and 13-years-old who usually don't go for the "mushy stuff"). I *really* hope that these "factors outside the control of the writer and director" do not drive this very enjoyable, moral and inspiring series into the gutter.

You would think that the success of the series would give you both the control that you so obviously deserve, but that's Hollywood for you. If something is good as it is, they love to stick their fingers in and start tinkering with something that is wonderful as it is.

Anyway, thank you both for providing us with some fine entertainment that my wife and I were happy to watch with our children. Here's hoping that the powers that be will keep their heads screwed on right and *dance with the one that brung 'em*.

"...nothing is left of me, each time I see her..." - Catullus

[–] Screnwrit1 17 years ago

We appreciate your comments and are happy that your family has enjoyed the series together. That was always our intent and hope for these movies!

[–] Bladerunner 17 years ago

It is obvious that your hands are tied as to what you can say, but can you offer any info on what is going on with this series (beyond what you have already said)? Is there something we can do to help? Are you still the writer and Michael the director (officially)? Private message me if you aren't comfortable speaking in the forum.

"...nothing is left of me, each time I see her..." - Catullus

[–] angel72801 17 years ago

Can you say, why is it that the movies have strayed so far from the books? The first three movies did very well in going along with the books, why the downfall from there?

[–] john513-1 16 years ago

I was reading the different comments to find out why Michael Landon Jr name isn't listed in Love unfolding Dream. Is it true that he has left Hallmark and moved to another company?. If this is true, what was the reason for his diparture

[–] deborah-claxton 17 years ago

"Love Comes Softly" series needs to become a regular 1 hour show on tv once a week. That would be so awesome. It's like a modern day "Little house on the prairie" in which I have watched every show more than 5 times each or probably more. I'm 43 and been watching since I was 8 years old. Even visited Laura and Almonzo's home and museum in Mansfield, MO. The "Love Comes Softly" series are just as awsome as "Little House..." if not more. I just love the pioneer days. They were great even if it was harder times. Just made you appreciate things and people more than we do today. I am one of our families genealogist and when I watch these films I see my ancestors that I have discovered. It's great.

[–] judy_a 17 years ago

Hi. I wanted to read the books, once I discovered there were books first, but I love the series so much, I'm afraid the books might disappoint me.

I watch *almost* anything starring Dale Midkiff, and even if he has just a small part, I'll still watch.

"Love Comes Softly" is where I first noticed Katherine Heigl, and I love her work. Though I love her in Grey's Anatomy, I'm sad that she's not in more of this series. LCS is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I watch it a LOT! Do you think it's possible she might make an appearance in one of the upcoming movies? I know there's a new Marty for two of them, but maybe later? Aren't there eight books in the series? (I'm not sure.)

Thanks so much for the wonderful movies. I'm sure I'll read the books someday. I've heard the books are wonderful, so I'll have to pretend that it's a totally different story and start from scratch, and try not to think about the movies while reading them.

Thanks again for quality movies that anyone can watch!

Cat Adams
Louisiana

...

[–] seahorsej81 17 years ago

Hi Cat,
After reading your post, I just had to respond. Although, the movies are different from the books, I highly recommend the books, you will not be disappointed. There are eight and everyone of them is a favorite of mine. I've read them over and over, they are just that good. Take it from someone who loves and the movies and the books, you have too read them! Janette Oke's other books are great to and all carry a positive moral message of family and love.
Jennifer
Oregon

[–] hoist_thecolors3 17 years ago

I'm only 16 years old, and I do not cry during movies unless an animal dies. When I found out about Willie, I cried, and have every day since. I know it's ridiculous, and I know he's just a character. I read that he didn't play the part because of him being young and needing to be old for the movie. Couldn't you have made him look older? Willie doesn't die in the books! And, I know the books follow other stories, not just Willie and Missie, but that too pains me. Bring back Willie!

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ncarlson80 17 years ago

Well said fairhaven! Logan's age was definetely a poor excuse. They should make a prequel to the "Love" movies about Willie's past. There is so much about him that we don't know. He just kind of pops up from out of nowhere in LEP. What exactly happened to him after his brother passed away? Where did he go? What did he go through? Who did he meet? What made him want to come back home? There are so many loose ends with Willie that I think he should be brought back. At least then the character will be back in the "Love" movies again and Logan B. can play the part once more and us fans won't be disappointed.

The only decent movie out out of the series is Love Comes Softly. Everything after that is disappointing. I know some things need to be changed from book to movie but come on! These movies don't resemble the books at all. The only thing that they have in common with one another are the titles. Janette herself has said that she didn't know the producers were going to kill Willie off! She also says she misses Katie Heigl as Marty and that she has not seen LUL yet. She wrote me a letter after I wrote to her telling her about the Logan petition and I asked her, her thoughts on the movie and how she felt about Willie being killed off. The book rights no longer belong to her or the publishing company so Hallmark Channel or who ever can do with the stories as they please. Apparently they want to ruin the whole series and run it straight into the ground.

"Willie did not die in the books - so for us, he will always be apart of the story." Janette Oke

[–] deborah-claxton 16 years ago

lol, i feel the same way you do!!!

[–] egcain 16 years ago

I completely agree with you, I also stopped buying, and watching the movies. They just don't hold a candle to the books. The last straw for me was when they made Belinda Missy's daughter. She is Marty and Clark's youngest daughter.
I you are going to make a movie based on a book, It should stay true to the story line.

[–] babywedg 17 years ago

I read the books as a teenager and fell in absolute love with them. As an adult I was eager to see them as movies and I can tell you that I have been disappointed with them. Especially the most recent one. Belinda wasn't an orphan who was separated from her brother. She was the youngest daughter of Clark and Marty and I think that's what made the last of the Love Comes Softly series so exciting - to see how their offspring found love on their own. To twist the story like that for television/dramatic purposes is disappointing.

To those who have seen the movies and not read the books - you SHOULD read them, they're much better than the movies. While it's nice to see a book "brought to life" - I wish they had just stuck with the original story line and kept us Janette Oke fans happy.

[–] jashobeam5 17 years ago

I was very disappointed in the series. After he purchased the first two movies in this series, I asked my husband to not buy me any more. I love the books and was actually grieved that such a beautiful story was treated so shabbily in the movies. I hope someday someone does this series justice. Until then I will mourn what could have been.

[–] heh0815 16 years ago

Cindy - thank you and MLJ for everything! Loved both of the films!

[–] MsMamaBaby1 16 years ago

I have enjoyed the 'Love' series for the past year (yeah, I'm a newbie) and I look forward to each and every one. Sometimes it's just nice to take a break from the traditional movies of today and watch something clean and uncluttered and I find that in your stories/movies. Of course, I am sure many things take place from the original writings to the directors viewpoint to the whatever else but, all in all, your series is great. Keep up the good work.