Antony West (Author)

A setting isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character in itself. It can influence mood, create conflict, and reveal something about the story’s inhabitants. We need to go beyond ‘the dark forest’ and get our students to use all their senses. What does the forest smell like after the rain? What sounds echo through the trees? Alex Quigley’s emphasis on vocabulary is key here. Let’s provide them with a sensory vocabulary bank. Let’s encourage them to ‘zoom in’ on a specific detail. A broken window, a ticking clock, a faded photograph. It’s these small details that build a world the reader can truly step into.