Leaving the Porch Lights On

Dorothea Benton Frank, known as Dottie to her friends, is one of the South's favorite writers. When her first novel, Sullivan's Island, hit the bookstores in 1999, it was an instant success, selling more than one million copies. Now, 13 years and 12 books later, Dottie Frank is a consistent New York Times Best Seller and an author that has a poignant soul with southern blood coursing through her veins.

With her 13th book, Porch Lights, (William Morrow) just out, I was able to catch up with Dottie to learn more about what makes this gal tick. We had a blast chatting, laughing, talking about kids, and reminiscing about the South. Here's a peek into our conversation:

Elizabeth: Dottie, you're such a character yourself-when were you finally able to embrace and get comfortable with what some would call your eccentricities?
Dottie: I think turning 50 had something to do with becoming brave enough to be myself. I'm not afraid to break convention. You can get away with anything using humor and a sensible amount of good taste.

Elizabeth: Which one of your characters most resembles you?
Dottie: They're all me at different points in my life. Susan Hamilton Hayes (Sullivan's Island) is me ten years ago. Annie Britt (Porch Lights) is who I hope to be in the next ten years-with a little less starch in my dress, of course.

Elizabeth: After the success of Sullivan's Island, were you worried about being a one-hit-wonder?
Dottie: I never expected to be a wonder at all. I wrote the second book before the first one ever came out. I'm a compulsive writer. It's just what I do.

Elizabeth: I know that you love hearing stories from your readers. What's one of your favorites?
Dottie: This one is hilarious. You know Susan Hayes (Sullivan's Island) scrubs the toilet with her husband's toothbrush and pours out his Aramis, replacing it with bodily fluid before she throws him out. I had one lady tell me that when she found out her husband was cheating, she took all his underwear, turned them inside out, rubbed them all over the fiberglass insulation in the attic, turned them right side out, and neatly placed them back in his drawer. We hooted!

Elizabeth: How did you get started writing?
Dottie: I was a stay-at-home mom, volunteering all over the place. I took a creative writing class and started writing Sullivan's Island.

Elizabeth: Did you expect to get published?
Dottie: Yes, I wrote with a very specific purpose. I wanted to earn enough money to buy my mother's house on Sullivan's Island, and have enough left over to maintain it and pay the taxes. It was important to me to keep the house in the family.
Also, writing allowed me to be heard. I was always Peter's wife, Victoria or William's mom, Dot the great volunteer. It's very sobering to put thoughts on paper, instead of just listening to them.
I sent Pat Conroy a copy of the manuscript, a toothbrush, and a bottle of Aramis, asking him to endorse my book. I didn't know him, and I waited four months for an answer. I owe a great deal of my success to Pat and Sandra Conroy, and also Anne Rivers Siddons.

Elizabeth: Were there ever any naysayers?
Dottie: Oh, yes. My sister said, "She's not qualified to write a book!" Not to mention some of the Amazon.com reviews. Pat Conroy told me, "Toughen up, Sister!" I used to go home and cry about this stuff, but you just can't worry about it.

Elizabeth: What's next?
Dottie: You're getting the scoop on this because I haven't told anyone yet. The next book is The Last Original Wife. It's about a group of friends that all belong to the same golf club, and one-by-one their marriages breakup except for one. Her husband is cheap, he won't give her any money, and week after week she and her husband show up at the club for dinner with the new "younger replacements" of her friends. Finally she wakes up and decides maybe someone needs to give her a reason to stay.

Elizabeth: Final words?
Dottie: Over the course of my career, I have written stories about women my age. They are slice of life stories. If I'm thinking about something, maybe you're thinking about it too!

Buy The Book, Porch Lights:  After her firefighter husband tragically dies in the line of duty, Jackie, and ten-year-old son, Charlie, are devastated. Charlie idolized his dad, and now the outgoing, curious boy has become quiet and reserved. Trusting in the healing power of family, Jackie decides to return to her childhood home on Sullivan's Island.

Awaiting them is Annie Britt, the family matriarch who has kept the porch lights on to welcome them home. Thrilled to have her family back again, Annie promises to make their visit perfect-even though relations between mother and daughter have never been what you'd call smooth. Filled with Dorothea Benton Frank's charming wit-the bonds of family, the heart's resilience, and the strength of love-Porch Lights is a wonderful modern day story of life, loss, family, starting over, and the healing power of love.

Meet Dottie:
Favorite Dessert:
One scoop of
H‰agen Daz Chocolate ice cream

Something that would surprise people:
I'm terrified of the dentist.

Biggest lesson for women:
Work and have your own money!

One book you read this summer:
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Reads on: A colored Nook

Favorite recipe:
I cook a lot of Italian dishes. This summer I've loved the watermelon-feta-tomato- mint salad. You'll think you died and went to heaven!