Michele Kwasniewski – Rising Star
After fifteen years in the entertainment industry, Michele Kwasniewski combined her insider knowledge, creativity, and love of writing and music to tell the story of Dani Truehart in her debut young adult novel, Rising Star. It is Book One of The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart series.
Fifteen-year-old Dani, a talented singer and dancer, has a chance to be a pop star. Jodi Truehart, her star-struck mother, lives vicariously through her daughter and is determined to see Dani succeed, even if her harsh strategies cause Dani to question her mother’s love.
One morning, Jodi screams for Dani to get out of bed. Unbeknownst to Dani, who wants to go to school to take a math test that she studied so hard for, Jodi hurries them to the studio for her dance and voice lessons with Martin. He’s Dani’s coach, a gay man who was closeted during the 1980s when he was a popular boy band member. He knows the life possibly ahead for Dani. On this particular day, Martin tells Dani that she is scheduled for a big audition with his former manager that could catapult her to the next level on the road to pop star status. But in order to protect Dani from her mother, Martin wants to become Dani\’s guardian.
Dani is overwhelmed and nervous with the suddenness of life-changing decisions. Her thoughts explore the reasons for moving forward. Does she enjoy what she’s doing, and is it for herself, her mother, or both? Martin sees her angst and tries to encourage her. He also lets her know the realities of being a pop star.
I never had anyone looking out for me when I was young…. I lost a lot of money from…shady contracts and did some things that I wouldn’t have chosen to do. So, to best protect you, I’m asking your mother and father to let me be your guardian until you’re eighteen.
It’s really important that you’re honest with me and honest with yourself. Being a pop star, especially when you’re so young…it’s more pressure than you can imagine. You’ve got so much independence. When you’re famous, everyone is clamoring for your attention. All of a sudden, you find yourself responsible for so many adults who are depending on your success to pay their bills. It’s nothing you can prepare for, really. And yes, the perks are amazing. But this will change your life and who you are forever…. I don’t want to scare you, but I want to be honest with you. Just a little advice from one “has-been” to a “might-be.”
Honey, you can quit right now, and I’d still be your biggest fan. You aren’t supposed to be doing this for me, your mom or anyone but yourself.
Michele Kwasniewski had plenty of content to create her composite character Dani in Rising Star. During her years in the business, she witnessed many people navigating the excitement of working their way to the top, some flowing with manageable bumps along the way, others paying a heavy price. The abundance of information from social media, entertainment TV and magazines, etc., provided content, too. As a guest on The Weekend with Ed Kalegi, Michele said to Ed:
There’s that desperation for people to be in the business. Let’s face it, everyone watches movies, reads books, listens to music, watches TV. It’s a huge platform and you can get so many things from being involved in that business, even behind the scenes.
She also told Ed:
You’re always watching your back. And you have to watch that line, that moral line that you hold. What are you willing to do to keep your job?
It’s in our genetic makeup to relish entertainment. Human nature gives us a craving and fascination for gazing into the lives of those we deem talented, beautiful, rich, funny, and even miserable – i.e., celebrities. In Rising Star, Michele Kwasnieuski gives us that fulfillment through the life of Dani. Delightful reviews on Michele’s website express readers’ absorption in the story. Ed Kalegi, on his show, said that it was “written from a very experienced point of view” and “There’s so much texture to this story…a very rich story because it has all that [backstory] feeding into it…tremendously enjoyable.” And Kathy of The Story Hour with Kathy Ramsperger, who read Rising Star in a couple of days, said while interviewing Michele, “It certainly was engaging and I loved every minute of it. I loved Dani because she doesn’t let it get to her yet – and it may eventually.”
Rising Star, published on October 20, 2020, is the first in Michele Kwasniewski’s series The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart. Book two, Burning Bright, has Dani on the road touring. She begins to experience a different sort of freedom, but also feels the stress of her mom putting herself into the limelight. Fallen Star will be the title of Book three. Will Dani survive it all and live everyday life?
Michele Kwasniewski – from the ABOUT page of her website.
After graduating from Loyola Marymount University with a BA in Technical Theater, Michele Kwasniewski spent over fifteen years in film and television production. Starting out as a film set assistant on movies such as INDEPENDENCE DAY, FACE/OFF, PRIMAL FEAR, and EVITA, she worked her way up to production manager on TV shows including BIG BROTHER. She is also a proud member of the Producers Guild of America. Michele’s colorful experiences in the industry inspired her to write THE RISE AND FALL OF DANI TRUEHART series. Michele lives in San Clemente, California with her husband, their son, and their disobedient dachshund. RISING STAR is her first young adult novel.
Michele! I wasn’t born in San Clemente, California. What happened!?
Thank you for this inspiring and heart-decorated postcard that has me yearning for the sun and ocean. I have the Atlantic Ocean two hours away, but currently, it’s cold!
Seriously, your energy and positivity are the best inspiration. Dreams Do come true when we build on a secure foundation. Congratulations!
Have FUN paddle boarding. 💖
~Anita~
Postcard by Studio 906
2019 U.S. Flag stamp info
Rising Star is published by Rand-Smith Publishers. Michele Kwasniewski is represented by Diane S. Nine of Nine Speakers, Inc.
