- Pick a format and stick to it. I prefer "As a <role> I want to <goal> so that <benefit>."
 - Be sure to include acceptance tests with the story.
 - Keep technology terms / phrases out; a story should define user interaction absent of technology.
 - Have your customers write the stories; stories must be understandable to the customer.
 - Don't be afraid to split large stories.
 - Make sure each story provides something of value to the customer.
 - Stories should be independent of each other.