Intemaa Abu Helou

Intemaa, 20, is a dental student at Al-Azhar University in Gaza. She says writing is a way for create a new reality. It lets her live outside of the fear, feel the love, wipe away the tears and chuckle at the humor, meeting people she’d never otherwise now–delving inside their minds and souls like a fortuneteller. Intemaaa hopes to "emerge from her cocoon, spread her wings and stretch."

She adds that, "Reading lets me experience wonders that I cannot experience on my own, and writing lets me create that sensation for others. It also helps me learn more about myself; writing touches me deep inside."