A story to tell, by the author of Growing Pains

I've just read Growing Pains: Kendra's Diaries by K.P. Smith and I'm honored to have the author on my blog today offering some background to why she's writing this series for young teens. I'll post my review of the novel tomorrow, but for now, here's some information about the book and the author:
About Growing Pains:   Kendra Foster is just an ordinary girl trying to get through her growing pains. Join her for her eight grade year and the struggles she goes through such as her parents fighting, cheer leading tryouts, friendship ups and downs, first crushes, etc. Growing pains is a fun look at life and its ups and downs, its bumps and its bruises. But with perseverance, determination, and faith you can be all you were born to be.The authors goal is to inspire young adults to never give up and to not be afraid of being yourself.  About the author:   K.P. Smith has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Xavier University in New Orleans, LA. She also has a Masters in Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing from Loyola University in Chicago, IL. K.P. Smith has a successful career in the Insurance Industry.She has been an avid reader since her youth. Writing has always been a passion of hers. She is the author of the Growing Pains Series. The first book in the series is Growing Pains: Kendra's Dairies She is currently working on the second book in the series; New Beginnings.She has recently started her own publishing Company Doin It Publishing. In addition, she developed a community outreach program Open Hands Open Hearts. She currently resides in New Orleans, LA with her two sons. And now, over to K.P. Smith... with her reasons to write.
Everyone Has a Story to Tell:  Everyone has a story to tell. When we hear about problems inone's life a lot of time it can be traced back to something or someone from theirchildhood. What is it about these formative years that can have such an impact onour life?
We are only considered "minors" for 18 years and if we liveto at least 37 we have already spent over half our life in adulthood. So, canit be so difficult to shake off move past things that might have happened solong ago?
Do I have the answers? No. I don't know if anyone does.  What I do know is because these are such animportant time in someone's life we should do all we can to help the youthduring these critical years.
That is why I am writing the Growing Pains Series. Again, Iam not saying I have all the answers but I went through a lot during thoseyears and want to share and help all those that I can. Life happens sometimesno matter what we try to do. It is so true life is a small part of what happensto us. The key is how we respond.
This thing we call life is not a sprint it is a marathon. Itis not made up of single destinations with our all our other days passing bywith little or no fanfare. This gift of life, the joy and the fulfillment isall in the journey.Here is to the journey!!