Hi Chris
I am also one year into the journey, so by no means do I know what I am talking about. But, I see a few things in your images that I have been working through and there are a few things that I think have helped me. No doubt that I also have a long way to go myself, so grain of salt.
Not only am I not an expert, but this is all pretty much artists preference. Whatever pleases your eye is what matters.
First try experimenting with mixing up the color pallets. It is a lot of fun and makes each image unique. I use a lot of blending with pixel math in the R and G channels (probably too much). It helps with color transitions in the image and opens up unlimited color options.
The Dark Structure Enhance script is easy to abuse. If I use it, I dial it way down and I also try Local Histogram Equalization as an option.
As Tony stated, try the GHS script. I am just getting the hang of it and it is indeed a steep learning curve. But it is a game changer. This would help with bringing out detail in the cores of these bright targets while also bringing out the surrounding nebulosity and dust.
The images look kind of flat. You may want to experiment with generating a synthetic luminescence layer. Sometimes I use just an extracted L component, and sometimes I make one using just Ha or a blend of Ha and Sii. Refine the processing of that luminescence layer with Decon and good noise reduction and reapply it to the image. Sometimes sharpening certain highlights or colors in the image is much better than sharpening the whole image. It will add depth and can also help with your backgrounds which have a molted look to them. Adam Block's tutorials around luminescence data have really helped me here.
Work on star reductions skills as Tony said. I agree with Tony that StarXterminator is a great tool and I now process all stars and nebulosity separately.
Keep going back and reprocess your data trying different workflows.
Any critiques of my points from more advanced members are greatly appreciated.
I did an imaging trip to Aus in May so turns out we have a lot of the same targets in our galleries. Here is my version of your M8 image. Not my best image for sure and it is due for a reprocess to try out some new tricks. But I have employed some of the points I made here.
https://www.astrobin.com/gz36e1/Clear Skies! You have had a rough run of it down there this year with the weather.
