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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, author Martin Treanor talks about the first book in his trilogy, The Logos Prophecy, and what inspired him to write it.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed Martin Treanor about his life and career, what inspired him to start writing, and the story of his new book, The Logos Prophecy.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
Raised in Belfast and counties Tyrone and Monaghan, Ireland during the troubled seventies, and having moved around Europe – I settled in Lisbon with my wife Lynsey in 2022, where I continue my job as an author and illustrator with a passion for all things fantastical, ludicrous, and surreal. I am particularly fascinated by alternative realities, bizarre science, magical realism, the metaphysical, and dark fantasy.Â
Over the years I have worked as a university technician, trade union representative, engineering tutor, lift installer, labourer, bar manager, and bookseller.
I enjoy all things historical, archaeological, philosophical, metaphysical and, through studies, have developed a strong interest in quantum physics – which I like to include in my stories.Â
When did you first WANT to write a book?
That would’ve been back in the early 2000s. I had been writing for a while – short stories and the like – and thought it time to chance something bigger. I actually wrote two full books, none of which were published, before accomplishing a work good enough to secure a publisher.
When did you take a step to start writing?
Being an almost obsessive reader – of many different genres – I had always kind of tinkered with the written word, but (at the age of 35) found myself wanting to give it a go myself. My first few works – short stories – were not good, but writing them and subsequent stories helped my hone the craft, if for no other reason than the joy of doing it.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
My fist published work, The Silver Mist, came from a dream. I woke the next morning, all but locked myself in my office for a weekend and had the first 60,000 words down by Monday. From there, it took another three months to complete in first draft, another few to redraft and – when circulated to publishers – I secured a small independent press in Washington DC within the month. Unusual, I know, but it happened very quickly.
How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?
Being the first in a trilogy, The Logos Prophecy was laid down very carefully. Working closely with my publisher and agent, we spent a good year world building the whole universe/setting, the treatment alone reaching over fifty pages. We wanted to make sure nothing was left to chance or misinterpretation. We even laid down story breakdowns, not only for books 2 & 3 but also for a television series, a movie, and both board and console/PC RPG games.
Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write The Logos Prophecy?
From 2015 until its dissolution in 2018, I collaborated with DnD, Forgotten Realms creator, Ed Greenwood as an author with his publishing company, The Ed Greenwood Group. Long story short, as part of a brainstorming session, I stayed with him at his home in Canada, whereby I got to talking with the CEO of the company, Salman Nensi (who later became my agent) about our shared intrigue for conspiracy theories and, therefore, the premise that ‘what if they actually were true – but humans doing it?’ From there, the story morphed into what would become the Fall of Ancients setting, with The Logos Prophecy being book 1 and the present-day part of a thirty to forty-thousand-year arc.
What were your biggest challenges with writing The Logos Prophecy?
The sheer amount of conspiracy theories. Research was difficult because it was hard to see the wood for the trees. Although the book is fiction, I wanted to include all the good, juicy ones in the book, but they also had to be current and big enough to prick the interest of a potential reader. Amid the noise, they are hard to find and extract from the multitude that are out there.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
My daughter, Emma. Like Ary Long, she is tenacious, focused on what she’d like to achieve, and – at times – a little on the crude side. Perfect for the person I wanted to traverse the globe, saving the world from itself. I also wanted Ary to have the necessary traits to counter the other protagonist, Jordan Burke’s very academic view of the world. Ary is the conspiracy theorist, Jordan the science guy – her personality and beliefs running against everything he holds true and takes as fact.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?
As the main antagonist is a group, the ever-powerful Caucus, my inspiration came from the various secretive bodies that have influenced progression (or lack of) down the ages. Among the many, groups like: the Freemasons, the Knights Templar, the Bilderberg Group, the numerous historical monarchies, and the many economic forums that have shaped human development.
What is the inciting incident of The Logos Prophecy?
That we – all of us – are not in control of our own lives and have never been. For most of what we know as human history, we have been manipulated and exploited into believing a version of the world that is contrary to what it might have been if the main antagonists, the Caucus, hadn’t risen to power 13,000 years ago.
What is the main conflict of The Logos Prophecy?
When the two protagonists finally discover the truth that a secret organization has been controlling things for 13,000 years and set about reactivating an ancient power system, their enemies pursue them with not only with their own agents but with a hired assassin, who is singular of mind and malice in her task.
Did you plot The Logos Prophecy in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
The book was plotted with regard to all the main points, like: where the fictitious characters could be inserted into real life events, and indeed how the main story would play out. But, when it came to the protagonists’ journeys, I let them take me around the world, where – even as the writer – I enjoyed discovering what they might do next.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did The Logos Prophecy need?
As with my other published works, I had the full support of my publisher which includes an editor. For The Logos Prophecy that meant the usual scope of edits, which included two full run-throughs.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
Read! As many books, in as many genres as takes your fancy. Reading really is the basis of writing. A writer begins to enjoy the various different approaches of their favourite authors. They see technique, sometimes subconsciously. They are exposed to different styles which, in turn, helps a writer to find their own voice… their own unique style and flair.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
Apart from books 2 & 3 in the Fall of Ancients series, both of which are, as yet, unwritten, I have already completed the first book of a high fantasy trilogy which I would like to develop further, as well as a dark faerie story based in London that I would also like to flesh out more.
And, finally, are you proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
Absolutely – in both cases. It’s always nice to see a story come together and to see your characters survive the challenges you’ve thrown at them. If it entertains the reader, then that’s the cherry.
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
MartinTreanor.Com
MartinTreanorAuthor Linktree
Martin Treanor (goodreads.com)
Martin Treanor – Author (@Martin_Treanor) Twitter
Martin Treanor | Facebook
MARTIN TREANOR | LinkedIn
A NICE CUPPA TEA
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