Shanna, I'm glad it came in handy -- always nice to get some variety in how things are covered!

I don't think it's original, but it describes what I'm trying to achieve - and it 'clicks' when I get there. Any problems I have usually yield to examining whose pov I'm in where - in every single paragraph.

Then making sure the pov is clear when alternating between two people - and when there is a crowd. And the Reader doesn't get confused.

Then I make sure there's no narrator/omniscient/external layer, and I'm finished.

The whole thing comes down the the author's control of pov and distance - and the Reader being given just the right amount of cues.

Tools for the toolbox Stephen King talks about.

Chris, it's always so cool to hear about a good writer who's completely unfamiliar...all of a sudden their name starts popping up everywhere, and I'm betting that'll be the case with Redfearn. 🙂

Alicia, I love your "from right behind the eyeballs" phrase -- talk about a great way of describing deep point of view!

When I throw out the first version of a scene, if it's awkward, pov is usually the problem for me, and once that snaps into place the whole thing becomes a journey from right behind the eyeballs, the way I prefer to write.

If I'm lucky, and become the character well, even that first version works. If not, well, we know what to do...

Bev, it's so cool coming across a recommendation for a series I haven't heard of -- anytime I ask somebody "what's the best book you've ever read?" it almost always winds up being a delight to read!