In my novel writing system known as The Marshall Plan®, I stress the importance of “viewpoint writing” in forging a strong connection between your reader and your viewpoint characters. Below are the three questions I am most often asked about viewpoint writing, along with their answers.

How do I know what to describe and what not to describe in my scenes?

If it would be natural for your character to notice what a person, place, or thing looks like (e.g., he has never seen this person, place, or thing before), describe. BUT NOTE: If it’s important for the reader to know what a person, place, or thing looks like, but the character HAS seen him/her/it before, use the “description-in-action” technique: “Tears welled up in her dark brown eyes.”

How do I describe a person, place, or thing?

“Filter” your description through the sensibilities of your viewpoint character. Don’t, for example, name something whose name your character wouldn’t know. Do flavor the description with the likes/dislikes of the viewpoint character: “For dessert, Jodi served an elegant mocha mousse.” OR “For dessert, Jodi served up some kind of coffee-flavored pudding.” Additionally, write the way the character would think.

Writers are always told to stress the five senses, so is it correct to use sense verbs—saw, heard, smelled?
In most cases, no. These verbs have the opposite effect: they distance the reader. So, not this: “Amos gazed up into the tree. He saw a squirrel sitting on the branch above him.” But this: “Amos gazed up into the tree. A squirrel sat on the branch above him.”  Not this: “Veronica heard the wail of a siren a few blocks away.” But this: “From a few blocks away came the wail of a siren.” Not this: “Pete sniffed. He smelled her scent, Norell, the scent of azaleas.” But this: “Pete sniffed. Her scent, Norell, the scent of azaleas, lingered in the air.”

Sometimes it’s more natural to use the sense words above—no rule is carved in granite.  Felt and tasted are used more often. “He ran his hand along the vase. It felt like sandpaper.” “She took a bite of Angela’s mocha mousse. Angela had used too much coffee and it tasted bitter.”

Keep these tips in mind as you write. Your novels will be stronger for it.