A single mother and court reporter from Laverton has had her debut poetry collection – with painted illustrations by her 11-year-old daughter – picked up by Apple iBooks.
Jennifer Simmonds, whose daughter Gabrielle (both pictured) is in grade 5 at Seabrook Primary School, said their book titled Just Words delved into dark secrets hidden behind the doors of suburbia.
But she said her book was also about hope and joy, and proved that an older single mum from Laverton could do anything.
Ms Simmonds said she drew inspiration from life and the court system where she works three days a week.
“I just think I got tired of not saying what some of life is really like,” she said about her motivation to write.
“People are always putting on faces and fronts and facades, but you don’t know what goes on behind the closed doors or how somebody’s feeling when they’re smiling.
“I walk six kilometres a day and I’m always looking at these gorgeous houses, for example, in Altona, and thinking, yeah, but what goes on behind those doors.
“And then you see something up for sale and you think, did they divorce, did someone die, are they just moving on, did they have to sell because they can’t afford the house?
“No one knows anybody’s story. Don’t judge because you don’t know.”
Ms Simmonds said she also hoped that by publishing a book, she would inspire others to tap into their talent.
“Everybody has got some sort of talent or some sort of gift and whatever that creativity is, you’re meant to be sharing it.
“Laverton and the western suburbs are slowly gaining recognition for its arts.”
Gabrielle’s artwork has been recognised with awards from Altona’s Bayside Festival and the Royal Melbourne Show.
