Magic Forums

Last night I tried one of my very first burning spells. It was a spell to get someone to forgive me for an argument that I had perhaps initiated. Well I burned the complete sheet of notebook paper in a little glass bowl and the fire got somewhat out of hand. I was able to blow it out, possibly not the best option but I just wasn't going to leave it there. Anyway I wound up accidentally inhaling some of the smoke from the fire. My throat is killing me today but other than that I think I'm fine. My question is how do you contain indoor fires? What bowl would be best to use as a burning bowl? The one that I have or something that's a bit more open? Should I just use a smaller "scrap" piece of paper next time instead of the whole sheet? Oddly enough I know absolutely nothing about fire and yet it's my astrological element. So I should be good at working with it yet I've always felt more closely drawn to water.