How do you get your curly q's to stand straight up (like in the photo) without falling or cracking? Do you need to insert tooth picks or wires?

I use royal icing, very firm butter cream or melted chocolate, depending on cake. Place and hold til
stable, won't take too long to stay in place. HTH

I have found that toothpicks or skewers need to be inserted in the end or drinking straws placed into the cake and the sugarpaste placed in the "plastic sleeve". Moisture in the cake will soften even fully dried gumpaste and cause thin, stand-up items to break off if left in place for more than just a couple of hours.