Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Suncoast News - By Cheryl Bentley

LIFE IS THE MUSE OF PASCO NOVELIST

NEW PORT RICHEY - Life just keeps giving Doreen Lewis ideas for books.

Her new novel, "The Bubblegum Babes' Guide to Sixth Grade," is the story of four sixth-grade best friends attending
a school that just happens to be called River Ridge Middle School.

No surprise that her 12-year-old daughter Kelly is a student at the real-life River Ridge Middle School.

Kelly was an inspiration for the 184-page book, she said, and an active participant in the writing of her mother's
newest novel.  "She has edited everything," Lewis noted.  "She was vocal about things she thought were too corny
and too personal."

Kelly will participate with her mom in an upcoming bubblegum blowing contest at Waldenbooks store at Gulf View
Square, in Port Richey.  The date for that event has yet to be set.

Her role-model author, Lewis said, was Judy Blume, her favorite writer when she was growing up.  Blume, whose
work has been met with both praise and condemnation over the years, is noted for her candid depiction of such
teenage issues as puberty and sexuality.

She tried to deal with issues confronting middle-school girls as sensitively as does Blume, she noted.

Lewis expects this book to be the first in a series of at least two others dealing with the girls.  The book is published
by Rockford, IL based Helm Publishing.  It is available at major online book sites.

Lewis' first book, "Her Backyard," a novel for adults was published earlier this year.

The plot of that novel centers on the return to Florida of a New York executive.  Lewis drew on her career in the
corporate world in Tampa and her life in New Port Richey for the novel.

Her publisher is negotiating with a film production company for the book to made into a television movie.

"It's still a long shot," Lewis said.  "I'm not holding my breath."

Not one to wait around, Lewis is already working on her next novel, "Arm Charm," the story of a woman in her 50s
whose husband abruptly leaves her.

The book, she noted, is targeted for women 55 and older.

As a real estate agent with Realty Options in New Port Richey, Lewis said she has gathered ideas for that novel
through clients.  "I deal with so many retired folks.  Everyone has such an interesting story to tell."

On another front in the busy Lewis life, she and her husband, Mark Lewis, are still working through code
requirements for their new bed and breakfast inn on Montana Avenue.  The City Council gave them approval to
operate the bed and breakfast earlier this year.

After they meet codes, they will then do some construction work.  Lewis estimates it will be a minimum of six months
before the establishment opens.

But true to form, she will be ready to meet the added work brought on by the cottage.

"Our big-picture plan is to open the bed and breakfast in the morning for our guests, sell real estate by day, and
write by night."

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