Comment from Michele Harber

Excellent

This is very cute and clever, and I particularly enjoyed the plays on names, i.e., "Alba Tross," "Penny Guinn," "Mac 'King' Byrd," "Ceil Lyon" and "Gil 'Ape' Pagoes." I'd be curious to see what plots come out of this very diverse cast of characters, and I suspect you already have some in mind. Good luck in the contest. ;-)

 Comment Written 02-Jan-2019

---

reply by the author on 02-Jan-2019

Michele,

Happy New Year!

Thanks for your inspirational advice in developing my final character list and their bios. Believe it or not, let's consider doing together a children's illustrated book using this character list. You will edit/develop the text with help from 'moi.' Oh yea, we will also need a great illustrator that will want some 'she(k)ls' for his/her work (-; The latter is the biggest issue going forward.

Mark

reply by Michele Harber on 02-Jan-2019

Let's talk about that going forward. Right now, I'm still trying to get the four manuscripts that I've already completed accepted by a publisher (I'm not ready to go the self-publishing route yet, but we'll see what happens), and you still have your alliterative book waiting to go out in hardcover. Meanwhile, though, I was happy to help you with your entry. As I mentioned in my response to your email, you have a pretty good lead so far. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed. Of course, that will make typing and walking a bit difficult.

reply by the author on 03-Jan-2019

Apparently, those crossed fingers and toes helped 'Lippy' crawl to victory lane. Champagne may be in order for the win, but I am unsure how frequent kelp intake interacts with alcohol.

reply by Michele Harber on 03-Jan-2019

I'm very happy for Lippy. Especially with the Meg Ryan-type career problems she's been having since the Botox, I'm really happy to see something go her way. Oh yeah, and congratulations to you too! ;-) By the way, I know nothing of the interaction between kelp and alcohol, but instinct tells me not to stand behind her; I'm guessing that, at the right moment, she could move a cruise ship.

reply by the author on 03-Jan-2019

Still think there is a children's book idea in this character cast. And, I know a great writer and NYC editor to make it happen after she publishes her other works (-; BTW ... Lippy and Meg have been unable to sync their busy schedules to discuss their love interests at NYC's Katz Restaurant. Lippy has big transportation issues.

reply by Michele Harber on 03-Jan-2019

Thank you for your faith in me. We will get to it one day. Unfortunately, my severance pay just ran out on the 31st, so right now I have to work on actually (gulp!) earning money.

Sorry to hear about Lippy and Meg's difficulties. I saw a preview of their documentary on that: "When Lippy Tried to Meet Meg." I understand transportation wasn't the only problem with going to Katz'. Being a fish, Lippy had this innate fear of anything pronounced "Katz." Eventually they settled on Sarge's on 3rd Ave., since it wasn't an innately scary name (she'd had some positive experiences with cops, as an informant), and for its proximity to the East River. The other problem they had, apparently, was in romantic scenes. With those big, Botoxed lips, when Lippy sucked face (a la "On Golden Pond"), she really sucked face!!!

reply by the author on 03-Jan-2019

Methinks you have a great niche for writing!

Being from Staten Island, rarely did I travel to Manhattan, except for the short stopovers during my four years at Tech. As such, I am not familiar with Sarge's. Still there? If so, worth a visit?!?

reply by Michele Harber on 03-Jan-2019

Thanks, Mark. I haven't been to Sarge's in years, although I used to pass it all the time when I took the express bus to work, but it's supposed to still be very good. I wanted to use the Carnegie Deli in the "documentary," and say that Lippy wasn't afraid of Carnegies but, unfortunately, the Carnegie closed a while back. I used to have four kosher delis within either walking distance or a 10-minute ride. Now the only one I know that even still exists in Queens is Ben's in Bayside. How the mighty have fallen!!

reply by the author on 04-Jan-2019

Comment from Sugarray77

Excellent

I love this cast of characters. You did a very good job with the imaginative names you thought up. It just seems like the animals and staff are ready to jump in line to flesh out the story/scene... Very good job with attention to detail.

All the best,

Melissa

 Comment Written 29-Dec-2018

---

reply by the author on 29-Dec-2018

Thanks Melissa,

This type of posting is way out of my league. My guess is this is my one and done for FS in the future - too much time spent on noodling it. You likely have not yet heard of the 'kelp diet' craze. Someone may pick it up as a food fad for 2019 (-;

Mark

Comment from AdaJulie

Excellent

I love this! I read it twice. This is wonderful, reading it is a joy. The words are selected well create a scene that is a joy to follow. Very good talent displayed here. Looking forward to more! Great job.

 Comment Written 28-Dec-2018

---

reply by the author on 29-Dec-2018

Ada,

Thank you for your great review. Even with your encouragement, I think this is my one and done FS entry for this genre. Have a happy New Year!