Author Winnie Li's book, Dark Chapter

AN American tourist who was raped in a west Belfast park during a visit to Ireland has penned a novel based on her experience in a bid to "to overcome trauma and heal".

Winnie Li, who was 26 when she was violently attacked by Edward Connors in Colin Glen Forest Park in April 2008, said she wrote Dark Chapter in an attempt to "reframe the conventional view of the rape victim".

Connors was just 15 when he twice raped Ms Li after striking up a conversation with her.

Following the violent attack, the teen fled to Dublin but returned voluntarily when told police were looking for him.

He was later sentenced to eight years jail.

Ms Li had attended University College Cork in 2001 as part of the Mitchell Scholarship programme, which identifies future American leaders to benefit from a year of postgraduate study in the Republic or Northern Ireland.

The American had been in Belfast for a reunion of United States scholarship students in April 2008 to coincide with the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement when she was attacked.

A doctor who examined Ms Li after the assault recorded 39 separate injuries including multiple bruises and abrasions to her neck and limbs.

Now, nine years on, Ms Li has written a fictional book based on her harrowing experience.

Dark Chapter, which is described as a thriller, tells the story of two people connected by a crime - a perpetrator and a victim. The book explores how their separate lives led up to the moment of that crime, and how their lives were affected afterwards.

The book follows the story of Vivian, a cosmopolitan Taiwanese-American tourist who often escapes her busy life in London through adventure and travel.

Johnny is a 15-year-old Irish teenager, living a neglected life on the margins of society.

On a bright spring afternoon in west Belfast, their paths collide during a horrifying act of violence. In the aftermath, each is forced to confront the chain of events that led to the attack.

Ms Li said the book was "largely inspired by my own rape".

"By writing fiction, I wanted to imagine a humanity for my rapist, envisioning him as a person who like you or me, has hopes, fears, insecurities - none of which excuses his behaviour, but could possibly help explain it," she said.

"At the same time, I also wanted to reframe the conventional view of the rape victim, where instead of a story of weakness, we find one of strength and resilience. For me personally, the book is also very much about the use of writing to try and make sense of violence, and ultimately, to overcome trauma and heal".

Ms Li also paid tribute to the people of Belfast who helped her "recover" following the attack. Initially wary she said she now felt more positive about the city.

"In 2014, I decided to return to Belfast to research for my novel, and that led to a much more positive chapter in my relationship with the city.

"I found the people and professionals I interviewed nothing short of supportive and friendly. Now, I can say, I always feel welcomed when I come to Belfast. The people of Belfast have helped me recover in ways I never would have expected."