Q: Flowy and A-line dresses add volume to your bottom half which can make you look unbalanced. Structured dresses, like those with an empire waist or pencil skirt, streamline your silhouette. For example, opt for a fitted dress with bright colors on top and dark colors from the waist to the hemline to bring focus to the top of your body while slimming down the bottom. A V-neckline dress draws the eye up toward the face and away from the midsection. It also creates the illusion of a slimmer, longer body and equalizes your proportions. Choose a wide V-neck to balance out broad thighs and hips. You don't have to stick with shorter hemlines to look sleek and slim. Go for solid maxi dresses that don't add bulk with pleats or pockets. Ensure the bottom of the dress just brushes the floor, rather than showing your shoes or ankles. For instance, opt for a royal blue maxi dress that skims the length of your body and pair it with wedges and a long necklace. Dresses that cinch in at your natural waist draw the eye to your thinnest point, while taking the focus away from problem areas. Go for dresses with bows or other details at your natural waist to create the illusion of an hourglass figure. For example, pick a long-sleeved ballet wrap dress in a bright color that flares away from your natural waist and pair it with nude pumps. You don't have to shy away from prints and wear all black to look slim. Print dresses actually have camouflaging features that help you hide areas you may feel insecure about. However, you should opt for small prints to make your frame look smaller, rather than large prints which give the impression of a bigger surface area. For instance, choose a shift dress with a tiny flower pattern instead of one with large blooms. Dresses with strategically-placed inserts on the sides instantly create an hourglass shape. Look for dresses that are one color along the front and back with contrasting side panels. Cotton, silk, denim, and wool gabardine are "flat" fabrics that won't add bulk to your body. You can also choose fabrics that help slim and shape, including fine cotton, jersey, cashmere, and spandex blends. Velvet, corduroy, leather, taffeta, and brocade should be avoided, as they add volume to your silhouette. Stay away from other heavy fabrics, like satin, flannel, suede and mohair.
A: Select structured dresses to minimize your midsection. Choose V-neckline dresses to create a high focal point. Opt for maxi dresses to look long and lean. Select wrap dresses to highlight your natural waist. Pick small prints to make yourself look smaller. Select dresses with color-blocking to slim your waist. Opt for flat fabrics that don't add volume. Avoid dresses made from bulky fabrics.

Q: Electric, charcoal, gas and water are popular types of smokers that are used with everything from jerky to turkeys. Electric and gas smokers will generally cook meat slightly faster than the other types. Assemble your smoker if you have just purchased it. Pay careful attention to the fire box and the air vents. These are essential parts of the smoker, which can result in fire or ruined meat if broken. You will need to start a fire in the fire box. Get it up to a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) and then turn it down to 225 (107 degrees Celsius) to smoke for several hours. You will remove contaminants and have a layer of seasoning in the smoker. Wood chips are generally used with a smoker to create the smoke flavor, and they come in varieties like oak, alder, cherry, hickory and apple. Make sure the wood you choose is free of any chemicals. This is true of charcoal smoking as well, since the fumes from the chemicals will go directly on your meat. It is a good idea to begin with pre-soaked chips, instead of making your own. You will want it to be outside away from strong winds.
A: Acquire your smoker. Cure your smoker before you use it to cook. Buy your wood chips or charcoal. Find a safe place to put your smoker outdoors where it will not be a fire or health risk.

Q: If you struggle to edit your writing on your own, you may try showing it to a friend or a colleague to get their feedback. Choose a friend who will be critical of your writing but also offer constructive feedback and useful notes. You may also show the story to a colleague at school or at work who is interested in writing and reading. You may try reading the short story out loud to a friend or colleague in addition to giving them a hard copy. You may get more detailed feedback if you read the short story out loud to them, as they can tell you right away when a section does not sound right or as strong as it could be. Remember not to take any criticism you receive of your short story personally. You are getting your writing critiqued after all, and any feedback does not reflect on you as a person. Instead, try to view feedback as valuable and part of the revising process. You may also try bringing the story to a writing group in your local area or online. Submit the story to the writing group for critique. Then, sit back and listen to what the writers in the group have to say about the story. Take notes and try not to interrupt anyone when they are discussing your story. Listen and process the feedback you get from the group. You may also try taking a writing class where you can workshop your writing with other writers. You may find it useful to discuss the craft of writing and several different approaches to writing in the class, in addition to getting your short story edited by other writers. If you are still struggling to revise your short story, you may consider hiring a professional editor to help you tackle the issues in your story. You can hire a professional editor by searching for one online or by asking peers in your writing community for a reference to a good one. You may end up working with a professional editor if you submit the short story to a call for submissions at a literary magazine or a journal. The editor can help you adjust minor issues in the story so it is set for publication.
A:
Show the story to a friend or colleague. Bring the story to a writing group. Hire a professional editor.