Christopher Buehlman Discusses Upcoming Releases and Themes in His Writing

Reflecting on the re-release of Between Two Fires, which gained a significant following as a self-published work, Buehlman expressed a mix of nostalgia and emotional connection to the story and its characters. He described feeling a “literary post-partum melancholy” upon completing the original manuscript, comparing the characters to clay that he must now revisit. He noted that while he was tempted to revise the work to reflect personal growth over the past 15 years, he only omitted one scene that he felt was no longer appropriate. Buehlman explained that while depictions of trauma can be relevant, they must be carefully considered, especially when authored by someone outside the affected demographic.

Buehlman continues to relate to the characters from Between Two Fires—Delphine, Thomas, and Père Matthieu—calling them reminders of forgiveness, resilience, and self-acceptance.

Excitement surrounds the release of The Thrice-Bound Fool, which follows the characters Kinch and Galva. Buehlman acknowledged that writing The Daughters’ War before the sequel deepened his understanding of Galva and enhanced her character development. The focus of the new installment lies in the dynamics between Galva, a deeply moral warrior, and Kinch, a mischievous thief.

Buehlman's stories often explore dark themes, such as the impacts of plague in Between Two Fires or goblin hordes in The Daughter’s War. He emphasized that finding joy amidst horror is central to the human experience, suggesting that contrasts between pain and relief make for powerful storytelling.

Diverse writing experiences, from poetry to screenwriting, have led Buehlman to enjoy the unpredictability of his creative journey. He is currently reading an advance copy of MR Carey’s The Tinder Box, noting its captivating narrative style.

When discussing fantasy creatures, Buehlman highlighted his fondness for unnerving entities, naming Caitlin Starling's 'saints' and Joe Abercrombie’s reinvented monsters as examples of compelling writing.

Shifting from medieval France in Between Two Fires to the fantasy landscapes in the Blacktongue series, Buehlman revealed his passion for both invention and research in his writing processes. While he does not adhere to a strict outline, he allows the story to unfold naturally, a method that has yielded deeper character relationships.

Buehlman acknowledged the humor and irony present in his work, attributing some of this to his extensive background in comedy. His fascination with language, both real and fictional, plays a significant role in his narratives as he enjoys the creative aspect of language development.

In terms of translations of his work, Buehlman typically does not engage closely with translators, although he appreciates thoroughness and collaboration, particularly with voice artists.