I almost always start with one largish log, oriented to use the wind correctly. I put the tinder beside that, and lean the kindling against the log so the tinder flames hit it, but the kindling doesn't interfere with the tinder.

Then I keep building and building the size of the leaning kindling and increasing the bed of coals.

When the bed of coals is about right I put a second largish log parallel to the first, and start laying larger wood (over thumb-width by now) across the two logs (at right angles to them).

Eventually the coal bed between the logs is substantial enough that structure isn't critical any more.

Bear
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No fire, no steel.