Exploring the Impact of Polish Heritage and New York Life on Her Writing
Gosia Nealon discusses her Polish roots, New York influences, and the inspiration behind her WWII novels, highlighting themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience in her captivating historical fiction.
Gosia Nealon’s literary journey is as compelling as the stories she crafts. Born and raised in Poland, she now calls New York home, a city that has enriched her life with its vibrant culture and diverse traditions. Her writing beautifully bridges these two worlds, capturing the essence of her Polish heritage while embracing the dynamic spirit of her adopted city. Gosia’s works are a testament to her ability to weave intricate narratives that explore universal themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience. Her debut novel, The Last Sketch, now republished as “Her Secret Resistance,” is a poignant exploration of World War II, inspired by the firsthand accounts she heard growing up. Through her characters, Wanda and Finn, Gosia brings to life the untold stories of bravery and love amidst the chaos of war.
Gosia Nealon’s talent for storytelling has not gone unnoticed. Her award-winning short stories have captivated readers with their depth and insight, and her transition to novel writing has only amplified her ability to engage and move her audience. Her novels, including Her Secret Resistance and Daughter of the Resistance, delve into the complexities of human emotion and the indomitable spirit of those who lived through one of history’s darkest times. Gosia’s dedication to authenticity and her meticulous research shine through in her work, offering readers a vivid and immersive experience. Her passion for her craft and her commitment to sharing these powerful narratives make her a standout voice in historical fiction.
Growing up in Poland and now living in New York, how have your experiences in both places influenced your writing, especially in capturing the historical and cultural nuances in your novels?
While growing up in Poland, I heard many first-hand accounts on World War II, especially from a man from our village who was an excellent and natural storyteller. But the biggest impact on my thinking had my 7th grade teacher who asked us to read a book entitled, “Stones for the Rampart” by Aleksander Kamiński. I read the book in one sitting and felt so sad for the young boys and girls who gave their lives fighting Germans. This book stayed with me to this day, and I promised myself to one day write a book about people like them.
Living in New York also strongly influenced my writing. It’s fascinating to be learning a new culture and traditions, and it’s here where I started my own family and stayed close to my sister Kasia, who’ve always inspired me to reach for my dreams and keep moving forward strong.
The Last Sketch (now republished as Her Secret Resistance) draws from firsthand accounts of WWII that you heard growing up in Poland. Can you share more about the specific stories or individuals that inspired Wanda and Finn’s characters?
Wanda’s character was inspired by my grandmother Bronisława whose bravery and cleverness kept her family safe when German soldiers stationed in her village. My father told me so many great stories about her. I was only three when she passed but I’ve always felt her guidance in my life.
Finn, on the other hand, is a fictional character, and since I’m a romantic at heart, he was created in my imagination and dreams.
I must admit that both protagonists will always be special for me as thanks to them I learned so much about developing strong characters.
Your novels, such as Her Secret Resistance and Daughter of the Resistance, delve deeply into the themes of sacrifice, resilience, and love during WWII. What message do you hope readers take away from these intense and emotional narratives?
I hope that people appreciate peace and realize that wars only bring pain and suffering. But I also wanted to show the power of love during the worst of times, and how it can bring strength and hope in every darkness. Daughter of the Resistance shows struggles during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 and conveys that while war can drive some people to a selfless sacrifice, sometimes it also changes others for the worse.
As an award-winning short story writer, what was the transition like from writing short stories to your debut novel? Did your approach to storytelling change, and if so, how?
My first published piece was a flash fiction, then I moved to short stories. I truly enjoyed writing short stories, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I was curious how it would be to work on an actual novel. I got enough courage when one of my pieces got an award in one of Writer’s Digest annual competitions. It gave me the needed wings and made me believe in myself. After taking some more writing courses and reading books on crafting fiction, I knew it was time to breathe lives into Wanda and Finn, and at this point both characters were well developed in my mind.
In Her Secret Resistance, the protagonist Wanda faces a complex and dangerous situation with a man she initially believes to be her father’s killer. How do you develop such intricate plotlines and maintain suspense throughout your novels?
Thank you for such kind words! I feel like once I begin working on my novel, my characters speak for themselves. It’s like they guide me from one chapter to another… But before I even get to that point, I spend a lot of time doing research because I believe that it’s the most important factor when comes to crafting historical fiction. I also like to take time to plan, and that’s when a lot of thinking is involved. In my opinion, the most important is to write what your heart tells you and stay true to yourself.
Your love for traditional Polish cuisine, like pierogi, and your walks in New York with your family add a personal touch to your story. How do these personal experiences find their way into your writing, and do you have any specific traditions or routines that help you stay connected to your roots while living in the US?
I love mentioning Polish food in my novels, especially dishes that I often make myself, like soups or blueberry pierogi, because these are part of my upbringing.
I was already twenty-five when I moved from Poland to New York, so just like I will never lose my accent, I will always love Polish cuisine. I enjoy preparing Polish meals for my family every day. Every Saturday my children learn to write and read in Polish, and I teach them my country’s history and geography. We stay connected with the Polish community by participating in cultural events, like The Polish Heritage Day in Lindenhurst. It’s important to me that my sons know well my traditions and culture.. Also, I often go back to Poland to visit my family, and thanks to that my children know my country and traditions well.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to talk about my books.
