For most modern stoves and fireplaces with glass doors, much of the air enters the firebox through a narrow strip above and behind the glass panel. This is the location where you want to light the fire so that it gets plenty of air. Next, crumple as many as ten sheets of newspaper and put them in the firebox. The amount of newspaper you need will depend on the firebox size, and the dryness and fineness of the kindling you are using. The drier and finer the kindling, the less newspaper you need.
Many people make the mistake of using too little newspaper.
Be generous with the newspaper and you will have more success. The loosely crumpled newspaper may almost fill the firebox. Hold the paper down with 10 to 15 pieces of finely split, dry kindling. Softwoods, such as cedar and pine, make good kindling. Ideally, the kindling should be placed on and behind the newspaper so that the combustion air reaches the newspaper fast where you light it.