Inspiration for Into the Darkness
Annabelle developed an interest in the many facets of healing after a traumatic experience left her with the burden of the title "survivor". To work her way through through numbness, depression, confusion and PTSD, she turned to dancing and writing and eventually started a blog called The Opened Book. The interactions and conversations with the readers inspired her to write a short story.
The driving force of the creation of this book is Annabelle's passion to help others who have been wounded with unseen scars. The goal of this book is help inspire and facilitate conversations that will encourage healing and journey through the healing process.
Contributors
It is pretty impossible to do anything completely alone, because of this we are forever in debt to the people who lended their hands and minds to not only bring this book into existance, but also make it the most helpful and healing product it can be. Here is the team:
Content Review:
Kylin Lee PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Practicum & Group Coordinator
Counseling and Health Center
Southwestern University
Bob Bednar PhD
American Studies
Associate Professor of Communication
Southwesern University
Banafsheh Madaninejad PhD
Visiting Assistant Professor of
Religion and Feminist Studies
Southwestern Univeristy
Carla Siegle PhD
Economics
Writer, Filmaker
Tall Tale Pictures
Kathy Soward PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Enrique Dura
Father
Founder of Alla Arriba, Holistic Center
Editor:
Megan McGrath
Cover Design and Logo:
Alexander Charles Drake
Book Trailer:
Tori McGraw - Director
Tiffany Casper - Actress
Kate Peterson, Vallery Rusu, Joseph Gicas - Crew
About the Author
Annabelle Dura was born in New York City in 1995 and is currently pursuing a Communications degree at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX.
“Into the Darkness” is Annabelle's first book and second publication since her short story "Burning" that was included in a 2012 issue of Down in the Dirt Magazine.
That year Annabelle also won 2 Gold Keys from Scholastic Art and Writing
Awards for her short story "The Kissing Flower" and for "Like Myself", a poem that she claims was never really finished.
Annabelle is a freelance writer for DreamLand NYC and is an energetic advocate for issues that impact women and girls. In 2014 she partnered with H.E.A.T. to create an anti-human-trafficking event called #SWERVE and was the youngest panelist to present at an intercollegiate conference on happiness held at Austin Community College. Currently Annabelle is planning to start a Survivors Support Group that will use “Into the Darkness” to facilitate conversation.
Annabelle's love of writing is only second to her passion for Dance. She is in her third year teaching classes and competitive dance teams at Courage Cheer and Dance United in Liberty Hill, TX. In 2014 she was invited to join Bluebird: Uncaged, an Atlanta-based dance collective devoted to bringing hope and dignity to youth through dance. She traveled with them to Panama on an outreach adventure in 2015, bringing her love of dance and passion for God into the lives of many.