5 Things About Author Holly Mthethwa

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Learn more about your favorite Ambassador authors with our “Five Things” series. Author Holly Mthethwa wrote the recently released book Hot Chocolate in June, available now. Here are Holly’s “five things”:

I discovered a deep love for writing when I was 11. My teacher entered a poem I’d written into a school competition in which the winner got to attend a Young Authors Conference. I ended up taking first place in my age group and got to attend the conference and workshops. It was through that experience that a passion for writing began to etch itself upon my childhood heart. I still have my young author t-shirt and held it up to stare at shortly after I signed my publishing contract with Ambassador for Hot Chocolate in June.

I used to be devastated I wasn’t musically gifted. I played the cello for a year and a half until I moved to a new school that didn’t offer orchestra. I was last chair among the many cello players and my parents cringed when I practiced. I switched to playing the clarinet at my new school and was last chair again—and there were a number of chairs (though I was eventually able to move up a couple of spots). That, along with having been rejected for a song solo, led me to believe I should rather stick to writing.

Hot Chocolate in JuneRedemption is one of the themes I want to take the spotlight in Hot Chocolate in June. One of my most favorite things about Jesus is that He takes our muck, our sin, our shame, and our rebellion and not only forgives us, but gives us a new identity in Him. I want others to see that amongst my adventures and love story; and to claim the truth of His love and grace for themselves.

Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan was one of my favorite books growing up. I wanted to live in Maine like Sarah once had. My cousin and I would daydream about one day sitting in rocking chairs on the wraparound porch of our old Victorian house by the sea. I’ve yet to visit Maine and think my heart will burst with joy the day I do.

My life verse speaks of gentleness. I find it incredibly easy to be gentle with the hurting, the poor, and strangers, but sometimes my family and friends aren’t on the receiving end of my gentleness. My mom says there are times when I’m about as cuddly as a porcupine; and my husband agrees. I think we can easily forget about our fleshly tendencies to be prickly to those closest to us; and find myself a big work in progress in this area. “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” –Philippians 4:5