Ask the Author: Andrea K. Höst
Answered Questions (29)
Andrea K. Höst
It has a cover, but isn't published yet. I hit some big time writer's block on it, but continue to make progress. Possibly release at the end of this year or some time next year.
Andrea K. Höst
Yes, psychic power is not limited to the Lantar, they're merely much stronger at it. But, also, the Lantar originated on Earth, and there's a reasonable possibility that Jules himself was descended from Lantarans - just a lot more diluted.
Andrea K. Höst
Hm, thanks for letting me know. Google did some backend changes that seem to have led to me losing that email address. andreakhost@gmail.com can reach me.
Andrea K. Höst
Goodreads has an email function or my mailing address is mail@andreakhost.com
Andrea K. Höst
I hope I get to see full virtual gaming, which is what I've mainly described in my books. Currently, while there is virtual reality gaming, there's not a lot of games that work well in the setup (unless you like being scared, since it seems great for horror setups).
For MMOs, the real standout at the moment is Final Fantasy XIV, which has a deep storyline and is very pretty (graphics improve with each expansion, as it's been running ten years). There's a ton to do in it, so it might be a bit overwhelming for a non-gamer. Still, you can play a large amount of it for free, so it's worth trying out to see how you go.
For someone who hasn't gamed before, I'd recommend:
- Portal and Portal 2. Fun physics puzzle game with tons of personality.
- Uncharted (the Definitive Collection to start out with - it's coming to pc soon, so you don't need a console).
- Journey (you'll need a PlayStation for that one).
- House Flippers (surprisingly fun to clean up and restore houses online - and a lot less effort than doing it in real life).
- My Time at Portia
- Stardew Valley (both this and Portia have similar 'daily life' setups revolving around owning a farmhouse).
- What Remains of Edith Finch (innovative interactive puzzler)
You can get most of these games through a console, Steam, or alternatively Epic games store.
Currently, I've been playing picross games, Genshin Impact (only go into it if you have good impulse control because it's geared to make you spend money), and, amusingly enough, online jigsaw puzzles at https://jigsawpuzzles.io/
For MMOs, the real standout at the moment is Final Fantasy XIV, which has a deep storyline and is very pretty (graphics improve with each expansion, as it's been running ten years). There's a ton to do in it, so it might be a bit overwhelming for a non-gamer. Still, you can play a large amount of it for free, so it's worth trying out to see how you go.
For someone who hasn't gamed before, I'd recommend:
- Portal and Portal 2. Fun physics puzzle game with tons of personality.
- Uncharted (the Definitive Collection to start out with - it's coming to pc soon, so you don't need a console).
- Journey (you'll need a PlayStation for that one).
- House Flippers (surprisingly fun to clean up and restore houses online - and a lot less effort than doing it in real life).
- My Time at Portia
- Stardew Valley (both this and Portia have similar 'daily life' setups revolving around owning a farmhouse).
- What Remains of Edith Finch (innovative interactive puzzler)
You can get most of these games through a console, Steam, or alternatively Epic games store.
Currently, I've been playing picross games, Genshin Impact (only go into it if you have good impulse control because it's geared to make you spend money), and, amusingly enough, online jigsaw puzzles at https://jigsawpuzzles.io/
Andrea K. Höst
Tangleways (Book 2 of Trifold) is the book I'll be working on this year. I don't expect it to be out until next year though.
Andrea K. Höst
I haven't planned a Zan story. Much like the protagonists of Snow Day, she's someone whose future life I think it would be fun to play out in the background of other stories.
A few years ago, I did have a rights query from a well-known TV production company (nothing came of it), and thought a lot about how Touchstone could feasibly make a TV series. I thought it would be very interesting to start with Zan for the opening scene, doing her Captain's exam at the same time as Cass is doing her high school finals. The contrast between Cass' attentive but not particularly driven approach to exams and the sheer intensity of what Zan would have gone through would have made for some nice imagery.
A few years ago, I did have a rights query from a well-known TV production company (nothing came of it), and thought a lot about how Touchstone could feasibly make a TV series. I thought it would be very interesting to start with Zan for the opening scene, doing her Captain's exam at the same time as Cass is doing her high school finals. The contrast between Cass' attentive but not particularly driven approach to exams and the sheer intensity of what Zan would have gone through would have made for some nice imagery.
Andrea K. Höst
I don't intend to devote a book to them, but I think their progression will be visible in the background of other stories. [The only definite other stories I have in mind are Sue and Ys, but many other books are ahead of them on my list at the moment.]
Andrea K. Höst
It amazes me to think that there are people in the world who have read me, but not seen Spirited Away or read The Blue Sword. I'm so glad to have introduced you to two of my faves. :D
Andrea K. Höst
Cass' progression in powers vs desire to stay doesn't really give her a window for motive + means. She goes:
1. Stranded to rescued.
2. Family assignment and back to KOTIS.
3. Powers of enhancement, no idea of more + missions and kindness with First Squad.
4. Homesickness, awakening in Earth's near space.
5. Return to avoid putting Earth in danger, start of thinking about Ruuel.
By the time Cass reaches 5, she's strongly attached to First Squad, and knows she has the power to get to Earth's near-space, but actually getting to Earth has the potential to kill her by stranding her there, or unleash Ionoth on Earth if she manages to get through.
She decides she needs to know more about her own abilities, which neatly coincides with KOTIS' desire to know more about her, and she also wants to help First Squad. Other than possibly more brain scans, and no choice about becoming a civilian, she's treated very similarly to other Kalrani/Setari, and so she doesn't consider her treatment callous, so much as being trapped in someone else's war.
Cass doesn't figure out how she got to Earth's near-space until much later, when she realised she might have made an Ionoth to take her home. [I've always figured it was someone really over-the-top, like Dream of the Endless.] By the time she figures out how to get back to Earth's near-space (but still not safely to Earth), she is long past the Samwise Gamgee pep speech, so escaping becomes a moot point.
1. Stranded to rescued.
2. Family assignment and back to KOTIS.
3. Powers of enhancement, no idea of more + missions and kindness with First Squad.
4. Homesickness, awakening in Earth's near space.
5. Return to avoid putting Earth in danger, start of thinking about Ruuel.
By the time Cass reaches 5, she's strongly attached to First Squad, and knows she has the power to get to Earth's near-space, but actually getting to Earth has the potential to kill her by stranding her there, or unleash Ionoth on Earth if she manages to get through.
She decides she needs to know more about her own abilities, which neatly coincides with KOTIS' desire to know more about her, and she also wants to help First Squad. Other than possibly more brain scans, and no choice about becoming a civilian, she's treated very similarly to other Kalrani/Setari, and so she doesn't consider her treatment callous, so much as being trapped in someone else's war.
Cass doesn't figure out how she got to Earth's near-space until much later, when she realised she might have made an Ionoth to take her home. [I've always figured it was someone really over-the-top, like Dream of the Endless.] By the time she figures out how to get back to Earth's near-space (but still not safely to Earth), she is long past the Samwise Gamgee pep speech, so escaping becomes a moot point.
Andrea K. Höst
The first three books are available as a bundle of three. I'm not likely to bundle all five together at this stage. Maybe if I write some more I could do two bundles.
Andrea K. Höst
They're not related, but they are different takes on the same concept, one fantasy and one science fiction.
Andrea K. Höst
Well, there'd certainly have to be rules about using psychic talents.
The interface would have as much of an impact as anything else - it would be much more difficult to use drugs undetected.
Nils and Zee would certainly not hold back on levitation/telekinesis as necessary. Nils is strong, but she's rather tall, so some of the lifts would definitely be easier with levitation.
The interface would have as much of an impact as anything else - it would be much more difficult to use drugs undetected.
Nils and Zee would certainly not hold back on levitation/telekinesis as necessary. Nils is strong, but she's rather tall, so some of the lifts would definitely be easier with levitation.
Andrea K. Höst
It's pretty much the same for all these options: rewrites of stories from other characters POVs is not something I generally spend time on. They can be fun to read, but there are a mabillion new stories I'd rather write instead.
If and when I get to Aunt Sue's story (years from now), we'll get a few more glimpses of other characters' lives, but otherwise there's nothing upcoming from Touchstone right now.
If and when I get to Aunt Sue's story (years from now), we'll get a few more glimpses of other characters' lives, but otherwise there's nothing upcoming from Touchstone right now.
Andrea K. Höst
That would be quite an undertaking, given how much is lake and archipelago. Thus far, the only place that's been mapped is Arcadia, and I've no current plans to change that, I'm afraid. Perhaps when I do Sue's book.
Andrea K. Höst
I will write a book about Aunt Sue at some point (but after about eight other books I want to write).
[Though I wasn't planning to publish Laura's story this year - it must took over and threw out my schedule. So I promise no timelines any more. :D ]
[Though I wasn't planning to publish Laura's story this year - it must took over and threw out my schedule. So I promise no timelines any more. :D ]
Andrea K. Höst
Mondo Elk. Not that she knew that.
Andrea K. Höst
I don't have an absolute publishing date beyond 'this year'. I am in a slow bit of it at the moment (well, okay, I am playing a lot of computer games, but I argue that that is now official research), and it's not likely to be earlier than November or evening December (but hopefully not next year).
Andrea K. Höst
I'm working on Tangleways after I complete Snug Ship. I doubt Tangleways will be out this year, though - I delayed my entire schedule by writing In Arcadia.
Andrea K. Höst
Amazon doesn't let me simply set a book as free, so I don't put the short stories I want to be permafree on Amazon. You can get a kindle-compatible version of it from Smashwords, though.
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