Problem: Article: You can often find palo santo at aromatherapy stores, bohemian shops, yoga and massage studios and places where holistic medical supplies are sold. The wood usually comes in bundles, with 5-6 sticks per bundle. It is naturally bold and fragrant, with hints of citrus, spice, and mint.  If you’re having trouble tracking down palo santo locally, try ordering it from holistic lifestyle websites online. The wood is also available in cone form, making it suitable for incense burners and scent diffusers. Take hold of one end of the stick and hold the opposite end to a fire, candle, or lighter. Rotate the stick back and forth slowly in the flame. Palo santo is a dense wood that doesn’t burn easily, so it may take a few seconds for it to catch. Watch for a glowing ember to form at the end of the stick. Once you’ve successfully lit the wood, let it burn for about 30 seconds, then give it a forceful gust to snuff the fire engulfing the tip. It will continue to smolder until it goes out on its own or you decide to extinguish it. If the ember looks like it’s in danger of dying before the wood has begun to emit smoke, a little air will help reignite it. Shake or blow on the stick gently to get it going again. This may only work as a temporary measure, however—even with some assistance, it might need to be relit several times before it has burned out completely. Be careful not to blow so hard that you extinguish the flame accidentally. Wave the stick through the air in all directions to release the pungent smoke. As it continues to burn, it will fill the room with a mild and pleasant aroma. Guide the wood over any areas you want to purify, including corners, corridors, and inside closets.  Avoid bringing the palo santo too close to your hair, clothing, or body while you’re holding it. Have an ashtray or similar receptacle on hand to catch the ash that falls from the burnt wood. When you’re ready to put out the palo santo, grind the lit tip into a fireproof receptacle that won’t melt or leave behind any unsightly marks. A thin layer of sand or ashes will help snuff the wood faster. Check to make sure the stick has stopped burning before you walk away and leave it unattended.  Many palo santo users recommend metal containers over glass and ceramic, which have been known to crack or shatter when exposed to intense heat Since it burns so slowly, a single stick of palo santo can give you up to half an hour of use, depending on its size and thickness.
Summary: Obtain some palo santo wood. Light the palo santo over an open flame. Blow out the flame. Fan the stick to keep it lit. Waft the smoke around the room. Extinguish the stick in a metal, glass, or ceramic bowl.

Problem: Article: Once you have your story set, read through your manuscript to check specifically for spelling and grammar errors. In addition to misspelled words and common grammar errors, check for overused words, commonly confused words (like there/their/they're), and awkward or long sentences.  Spell check is a useful tool, but it won't catch everything. Re-read your manuscript a few times to make sure you've caught all the basic errors. Give yourself a few days in between each read so that you can come at your manuscript with fresh eyes each time. Remember, long or complicated sentence may confuse young readers. One of the challenges in writing for children is communicating complicated stories clearly and concisely. Start by giving your manuscript to family and friends. It isn’t always easy to get a straightforward reaction from loved ones who might want to save your feelings, so consider joining a writing workshop or forming a writer’s group so you’ll be able to get honest feedback on your manuscript.  Remember to show your book to your primary audience: children. Read  your manuscript to kids and pay attention to whether they seem to “get it,” which parts make them bored, and so on. Consider whether your book appeals to parents, teachers and librarians. They are the ones who will be purchasing your book, so it should be interesting to them, too. Once you’ve got feedback from a variety of sources, edit your manuscript again.
Summary:
Check spelling and grammar. Show your manuscript to others.