POSSIBLE SOLUTION: This guy starts with two logs in a V instead of criss-crossing them. That would be more stable. He also makes the point about the usefulness of 12" wood in a smaller stove.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNidEAavLlo
P.S. Here's my tip for starting a fire on a very cold day with a cold chimney, when you have a strong downdraft. In those conditions holding flaming twisted newspaper up the pipe isn't going to work. Place a lit oil lantern in the stove and close the door. In about 20 minutes the air will be rising up the chimney. This has saved my life many a time during a power outage. A hair dryer can also help, and opening a window a crack will help too.