The Story Writer’s Handbook

Adventures in Creative Writing

By Katrina Nannestad

Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini

Reviewed by Claire Monsour

Nannstad writes in the introduction to this book, “My hope is that the spaces in this book will prove too small for your galloping creativity”. Full of inviting creative space, writing activities, and encouragement, ‘The Story Writer’s Handbook’ is literally designed as a place to collect ideas, thoughts, and prompts for the budding writer.

Nannestad provides guidance to creativity through her own writing practice, with a range of contents, from structured writing activities and imagination boosts, to blank pages with only a few words of encouragement or a short brief to usher your own ideas. She shares insights into her own creative writing process at the beginning of each section. She highlights the potential of the little details, the importance of language, and the potential to start a story almost anywhere. Orsini’s charming illustrations provide the canvas to fill – from endearing characters to develop to delightful drawn pages and borders to hold scribbles and notes.

This is a fantastic gift for the burgeoning little writer (or big writer!) in your life.

ABC Books AU  2025

Ages 8+

Katrina Nannestad

Cheryl Orsini