Crafting a story

Before I actually started writing books, the idea of writing a book was much different than it is today. Back then, I thought I would just tell a story.

It is that simple, and it's not. The easiest part is knowing what story you want to tell. The hardest part is figuring out how to tell it.

Where do you start? How much background information does the reader need for the story to make sense? How much time should you spend developing your characters? How do you make the story interesting enough from the start that the reader wants to keep reading?

The story I want to tell in my next Christmas book is more or less complete in my head. I have spent the last three days trying to figure out where to start it. How to start it - where in the story (because all stories are everlasting) do I want to bring my readers into these characters' lives? How much background on the characters do they need? How do I provide that background? Do I just present it as fact? Do I use conversation?

I think as I was walking today I figured it out, and I have made a start. I like where it is so far. Now if only I could get unstuck on the other story, I might really make some progress.