Evening star., 1948-08-27
ANSWERS TO QUERIES.
(Fron, Mrs. J. L. R., HyattsDille.

tEfOUt MIS-. ~ LIZ Lt.J HyULtoOHtC/
To Mrs. w. E. p, Riverdale, re
change Of career: BY all means
tackle the new career. Most women
have had little time for any sort
of career outside the home until
they are older than you are.
There are plenty of helpful courses,
but just to learn your ABCs why
not go to the Public Library and
check out some books on article
writing 'Techniques on Article
Writing" by Bennecke and Clark,
and Becoming a Writer" by Doro-
thea Brand, are all good. There
are many good books. Be sure to
secure copies Of THE Writer" q
monthly magazine which will give
you many, many ideas. Maybe you
have heard of the little girl who
cried when she started to school
because she didn't know how to
read. After you have read a few
books you won't feel so ignorant"
enrolling in course.
Since you live in Riverdale why
don't you go out to the University
of MARYLAND and see what they are
offering this fall. I am new in this
section but such a large school
should have some good writing
courses. OF course any book or
course only helps you to orient
yourself. All writing Is Individual
istic and takes hard work, but II you
like it, it is worth it. These books,
magazines and courses give you
ideas on how to present your work
in salable form and tells you about
markets and methods.
I took my three sons to the Phila-
delphia Laboratory two years ago
and found it most interesting and
thev continue to feel that the tests
were worth while.
Good luck to you! Oh. yes, usually
it is considered two to five years
before one can really "break-in" to
having something published, but
since you already have something
of a career background you may be
able to make connections sooner.
Less than 10 per cent of writer's are
able to support themselves entirely
by writing; ie.. by free lance work.
but you may be able to connect with
some newspaper, magazine, or radio
on a salary equal or better than as
a stenographer. Also don't hesitate
to 60 to the university, because since
YOU are not enrolling for a degree
they will not question your entrance
requirements. You can enroll as
special student.
To Mrs. C. w. K. Silver Spring
re polishing brass: If brass pieces
are lacquered usually you can tell
if scales of lacquer are coming
loose) remove with a little paint
remover or denatured alcohol.
To clean and polish go to your
drugstore and ask them for a good
brass cleaner. There are a number
on the market. Insist on a metal
polish, not silver polish. Or you
may buy Is to 40 cents worth OF
oxalic acid, put it in a quart OF
water, mix we'll, dip your cloth in
it and then into powdered pumice
and you will get excellent results.
Some people use vinegar and salt
but this is not effective on badly
tarnished pieces. Even with the
best solutions it will take plenty OF
patience and rubbing, but it is fun to
see the bright color emerge. Soft
cloths are best for most of the work,
but a brush will be needed for cracks
Can old toothbrush will do).
When bright, wash in clean soapy
water, rinse thoroughly in hot water
and dry and polish to high sheen
don't touch metal with hands,
only with Cloth.
Now II you want it to stay bright,
dip a clean cloth into transparent
metal lacquer and spread 1t over the
entire surface (this can be sprayed
on if you have a lacquer spray
This should last for several years.
Variations-If you prefer a dull
instead of bright finish clean
metal with linseed oil and rotten
stone mixed to heavy cream, and
then polish with a flannel cloth
For an antique finish rub with lemon