One bit of advice some experts offer is counterintuitive: Don't begin by talking about alcohol.

The isolated bits of the puzzle were now beginning to fit into their places.

A bit of good old light begins to dawn, but that can wait.

No, just let's say that a bit of light is beginning to dawn.

Then gradually the moon passed right across the sun, and a little bit of one side began to show again.

The little bit of fish for the landlady's cat was beginning to stink.

Then a bit of the Tyrant's madness began to manifest.

Ever so slowly, small bits of body language began to betray each players' mood and if he held good cards or bad.

By some miracle the unlikely bits and pieces began to form a structure.

But not a bit of it, they were beginning to warm to the idea.