Compost question

I have a question about brown stuff for the compost heap. I will be hacking back some old woody (mostly dead) shrubby bits when it gets a bit warmer. Even cutting them up small it takes them ages to break down. If I shred them will they still be classed as "brown"? or will they end up mushy like any green stems do when shredded?
Or, should I just stick them in the compost heap as they are and spend ages picking out non rotted sticks when I come to use the compost on the garden??

Despite reading all manner of info on composting I still don't feel confident I'm doing it right with MY garden waste.

All contributions gratefully received!!

 

Shredding them will help in breaking down, more surface area for the bacteria to work on, the bigger the heap the better, and if you can save the greens and browns to make up a big heap all at once then it will help to get it to "turn on" the bacterial process that gets the heap hot