It is with a sad, heavy heart that I have had to re-create a new website/blog as my oldest, and dearest friend, Mal, passed away from a heart attack towards the end of July. Apart from coming to terms with the shock and grief from the news, his passing left me in a quandary regarding my ten-year old website which Mal managed as 'Webmaster'.
Having no idea how to continue with a site using HTML and not wanting to find a stranger to replace Mal, I decided a simple Blog -- which I know how to use and operate - would be the best option. So here we are!
With the skilled help of my graphics and cover designer, we will auto-divert the original www.helenhollick.net site to this one - and leave that original as a memorial to Mal.
I've transferred quite a few of the information and articles from the original over to here - you'll find a the information about my books, including buy links and excerpts, plus lots more of interest linked on the 'More' page (or see the top menu bar).
News and Events will be posted as and when I have any news to share, and I will continue with my monthly Dispatches - I've copied and archived all of them from the original website onto here - took me a while as I started writing these, at Mal's suggestion, in April 2005.
So please do browse, let me know if you spot any errors (there are bound to be some) and feel free to suggest anything that you think I can add.
I will miss Mal very much, we used to chat on the phone most weeks, and it was always good to know that he was there at the end of a phone line.
Helen, your indomitable spirit inspires us all. I'm so sorry for your loss, Mal sounds like "a verray, parfit gentil knyght". No matter what life throws your way, you crack on with it, and this new website is a testimony to your tenacity. Your beautiful words are happy in their new home, and I'm sure Mal is raising a pint to you in admiration. Looking forward to spending time here with you - if you ever want a guest author, hit me up - if it wasn't for your encouragement, I wouldn't be here this moment.
ReplyDeleteThank you Elizabeth - and I'll be taking you up on that offer!
ReplyDeleteDear Helen, So sorry you lost your wonderful friend Mal - and that this summer has been a bit of a rough one. But, as always, you are indomitable. Your new Blog is looking good and already bookmarked. With my best wishes for it to bloom and blossom into a huge following, as always, Inge.
ReplyDeleteThank you Inge - I very much value your friendship and support.
DeleteMy condolences, Helen. But you are soldiering forward regardless of the difficult summer. You're an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThank you Marian - must admit I'm now eager to get back to 'work' :-)
DeleteCongratulations on this new site! You've worked very hard and have produced a site almost indistinguishable from the old one. Chapeau!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alison :-)
DeleteHow you must have slogged to get this website up! It looks very nice--and so like the other that Mal must be very pleased.
ReplyDeleteBeen a lot of hard work but also good to look back at some of the content from the early years!
DeleteSo sad to hear about Mal, and impressed at the work you've done to get this site up and running. It looks great, Helen. x
ReplyDeleteThank you Helen
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