Frenchy:

What type of flint firestarter do you have? You should be able to ignite a cotton ball with the slightest spark. Check to see that the material is truly cotton and not a synthetic. Also, pull the cotton so that it is very fluffy. And, if you dip it in just a small bit of petroleum jelly first it should burn for quite a while.

Once you are an expert with the cotton move up to paper tissue, and then natural tinders.

Chris