oooooooooo.  yes, please scan!

that was a great explanation, and helpful for lighting just about any movement.  diagonals just about always help illustration, because, in general, we're trying to depict action. 

so... this is what i'm taking from what you've said (just to verify)

1. It's good to start simple.  Begin with a single spot first, and build from there as necessary.
2. You want to emphasize lines and motion of the figures. Light at an angle to the camera, and start at about figure height.
3. Think in diagonals, both in terms of composition and lighting.

oh, and by the way, have you tried bagginsbill's light shader?  it adds fresnel and inverse r squared falloff to lights in poser.