Antony West (Author)

A great story is nothing without great characters. They need to be more than just names on a page. They need to be flawed, complex, and relatable. Doug Lemov’s ‘Wait Time’ can be used to great effect here. Ask a question like, “What is one thing your character is afraid of?” and then give them a moment to truly think about it. Don’t rush them. We’re not just looking for a superficial answer. We’re looking for the little details that bring a character to life. What’s their favourite food? What’s their biggest secret? It’s these tiny decisions that build a human from the ground up.