Behind the Pages: Romance, Motherhood, and the Perfect Polish Pierogi!

Hi, everyone!

Lately, my world has been a beautiful whirlwind of romance tropes, emotional character arcs, late-night writing sessions, and the excitement of celebrating the release of my very first novel.

Writing this book has been a dream come true. Watching a story that once existed only in my imagination become a real book—one that readers can hold, experience, and hopefully fall in love with—has been both thrilling and deeply emotional. I am incredibly grateful to every person who has picked up a copy, shared a kind message, recommended the book to a friend, or supported me along the way.

Every reader who enters the world I created makes this journey even more meaningful.

But when I step away from my laptop, close the manuscript, and leave my fictional characters behind for a while, my everyday life looks a little different. Today, I wanted to invite you behind the pages and share a glimpse of the woman behind the stories.

Because beyond being an author, I am also a proud Polish woman, a busy mom, and someone who finds genuine happiness in the warmth of a family kitchen.

Take a look at the photo!

Yes, those are homemade pierogi!

For those who may not be familiar with them, pierogi are one of Poland’s most beloved traditional dishes. They are soft dumplings made from delicate dough and filled with a wonderful variety of ingredients. Depending on the family, the region, or the occasion, they may be filled with potatoes and cheese, sauerkraut and mushrooms, meat, fruit, or many other delicious combinations.

Today, I chose a classic savory filling—the kind of comforting flavor that instantly makes a kitchen feel like home.

Growing up in Poland, I learned that cooking is about so much more than simply preparing food. It is about family, memories, tradition, and time spent together. Recipes are often passed from one generation to the next, sometimes written down carefully and sometimes remembered through practice, instinct, and love.

There is something deeply comforting about returning to those familiar traditions.

Now, as a mother, making pierogi has taken on an even more special meaning. Rolling out the dough, cutting each circle, adding just the right amount of filling, and carefully pinching the edges gives me an opportunity to slow down. For a little while, I can step away from the digital world, put aside deadlines and notifications, and focus entirely on the simple task in front of me.

The kitchen becomes a place where I can breathe, reconnect with my roots, and create new family memories around traditions that have been loved for generations.

Of course, anyone who has ever made pierogi knows that achieving the perfect result requires patience. The dough must have the right texture, the filling must be carefully balanced, and every edge must be sealed tightly. One small distraction can leave you with a dumpling that falls apart in the pot!

In a funny way, making pierogi reminds me of writing a novel.

A story also begins with simple ingredients: an idea, a character, an emotion, and a question about what might happen next. Then comes the careful work of bringing everything together. Characters need depth, relationships need time to develop, and every scene must contribute something meaningful to the story.

Sometimes the process flows beautifully. Other times, a chapter refuses to cooperate, a character makes an unexpected decision, or an entire scene must be rewritten. Just like dough, a story cannot always be rushed. It needs patience, attention, and time.

Motherhood has taught me many of those same lessons. It has taught me to be flexible, to appreciate small moments, and to understand that the most meaningful things in life are rarely created perfectly or instantly. They grow through love, effort, patience, and the willingness to keep trying.

Whether I am developing a romantic relationship between two fictional characters, managing the beautiful chaos of family life, or standing in the kitchen shaping another tray of pierogi, I find myself guided by the same purpose: to create something filled with heart.

Stories can bring comfort, inspire hope, and help us believe in love.

Food can carry memories, preserve traditions, and gather people around one table.

Both have the power to connect us.

That is one of the reasons I wanted to share this little glimpse into my life. Being an author is an important part of who I am, but it is only one part of my story. Behind every chapter, book promotion, and carefully written scene is a real woman balancing creativity, motherhood, family traditions, responsibilities, and everyday moments of joy.

Sometimes inspiration appears while I am sitting at my desk with a cup of coffee. Sometimes it arrives in the middle of an ordinary conversation. And sometimes it finds me in the kitchen, with flour on my hands and a table covered in rows of freshly made pierogi.

Whether I am writing a passionate love scene or preparing a comforting meal for my family, my goal is always the same: to create something that brings people together and warms the heart.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me—not only in the fictional worlds I create, but also in the real, imperfect, and beautiful moments that happen beyond the pages.

I am so happy to have you here.

XOXO
Zuza