Perception plays a huge role in point of view. How we perceive things depends on many factors. Even people in the same family, brought up in the same neighborhood and country will look at things differently. That's because many variables enter into their lives, one being birth order. No matter how parents try to be fair, a second or third child is not treated exactly as the first. Also, other contacts, such as teachers, friends, enemies, even events, can shape thoughts. Likewise, each author perceives things in his or her own way. Such views have a way of sneaking into books. When you write, be careful you are perceiving the universe from your character's point of view and not your own. Go through your manuscript and elimate places where your point of view has slipped in, unless you actually want your character to be a mirror of yourself and not a person in his or own right. When you've done that, scan your manuscript again. This time make sure your characters differ in per...