Former resident, SHS grad, headlines as winning published author
By KATHY FERGUSON

SEMINOLE – Sometimes little aspirations grow up into wonderful imaginings. That’s exactly what happened to local
writer turned successful published book author, Doreen Lewis.

In fifth grade, the little girl wrote about cats. In high school, boys and broken hearts were heralded in poems. In
1980, Lewis won a school poetry contest only to have it printed on the front page of this newspaper.

“I still have a box of my childhood writings,” said Lewis.

In her adult career, Lewis wrote nonfiction articles and advertising copy for publications but wanted something more.

“I had reached a point in my life that was filled with much passion and emotion, and creative writing became an
outlet for that,” she said.

“Her Backyard” is the title of her first novel about a workaholic, career woman who ponders her chosen path as an
executive in New York City. When the main character, Audrey Beane, returns home for a family emergency, her life
changes dramatically.

“It is the story of choosing love over power and money,” said Lewis. It was written, she said, based on her own
struggles with working too much and searching for the meaning of life.

Her musings eventually paid off when her first novel earned the first place Royal Palm Literacy Award from the
Florida Writer’s Association in 2004.

“I can’t think of many times that felt so good, but this moment surely was one of them,” said Lewis. Since publishing
this book, Lewis has received excellent reviews from readers posting on Amazon.com.

But getting to that point was no easy task for the workaholic who was employed in an array of fields, from social
work to marketing, from public relations to real estate. She spent long hours on the road and in the office. Before
changing her career and life, Lewis was caught up in the trappings of a busy life. She lost her high-salaried
marketing job and had to downsize from the family’s 3,400-square-foot home into her current 1,800-square-foot
home.

Now, Lewis has penned her second book, the first in a series about the perils of middle school. She’s had a close
vantage point into that world by working from home by writing, selling real estate and working on a bed and
breakfast lodge that will open soon in New Port Richey.

Her second book, “The Bubblegum Babes’ Guide to Sixth Grade,” will be available sometime in August. It is the first
in a series of books about friendship and growing up. Lewis said sixth grade isn’t easy but the four girls survive it
because they have each other.

“Being at home puts me in touch with my children on a more intimate basis than when I worked outside,” she said.
Talking about feelings, issues, values and what’s important in their lives has opened the door for new adventures.

“The children have wonderful friends who practically live at our house,” said Lewis. “There’s always something
going on to spark an idea for the Bubblegum Babes’ series of books.”

The author’s connection to this community dates back to the early 1980s. Along with her Egbert family, Lewis
moved to Largo and then to Seminole in 1979.

“I met Mark (her husband) in my junior year at Seminole High School, and we’ve been together ever since,” said
Lewis. She and Mark have two children, Kevin, 15, and Kelly, 12, both born at the former Women’s Hospital on
Seminole Boulevard. Lewis and her family now live in New Port Richey.

Many people dream of becoming successful writers, and Lewis has advice for them. “Get the technical stuff down,”
she said. “I advise to follow the heart and write for one’s self. Find your voice and write from the gut.”

Lewis said not to be afraid of writing the hard scenes, like anger, feelings and sex.

“It is often the stuff from the heart that exposes the writer’s soft underbelly that makes the most powerful writing,
which makes reading good,” she said.

Book signings are planned and can be viewed at www.doreenlewis.com.   

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