Picture the scene: A fanfic. reader in search of a gripping yarn selects the Wheel of Time section...and groans. It’s there again – that bloody Season of Change story, not often updated but cluttering the WoT section with its unseemly amount of chapters. They smirk, noting that the reviews seem thin on the ground for such a heinously long story, and then they are gone, tripping in search of scribbled gems. If this seems familiar then read on. Why? Well, I’ve written this section solely for you, traveller. Now how about a little Q and A?

Q. So what’s the story? Why’s it so long? Why are there so comparatively few reviews? And why have you devoted your bio page to such a pointless endeavour?

A. Season of Change is the first fanfic I wrote. Based on Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time, it uses only one canon character from the series; Mat Cauthon. The fic. is abnormally long because I have no idea how to plot or scribe a tight story. My reviews may be sparse but there are a dedicated few brave enough to trudge through twenty-three chapters of pretentious blither meaning I get constructive feedback from people with lovely long attention spans. Lastly, I’m mired in a creative rut and cluttering my bio. page in fruitless effort to get my brain in gear.

Q. Great sell. Let’s skip to the interesting part; why Mat?

A. When I started this fic. I felt Jordan was neglecting Mat’s deeper personality traits and regressing him to 'comic relief'. I considered Mat the most realistic and human of Jordan’s characters so found this annoying. I also thought RJ was tossing Mat ropy storylines and wanted to send him on a jaunt reminiscent of earlier tomes. That was the theory anyway.

Q. Fair enough. So, who else is in it?

A. A mysterious girl named Mai who...

Hold on there a minute - I’m getting a 'Sue alert.

A. The more cynical of you could call her a 'Sue. Others may brand her a self-insert. In defense I state that 'Sue’s are beautiful, witty, and generally tooth-achingly wonderful creatures, while Mai is more refined. I could be wrong. And probably am.

Q. cough!'SUE-THOR!cough So, who is this 'Sue, sorry, Mai?

A. A healer from the village of Laybridge, Mai was picked up by Mat and co. in their time of need. Despite her youth, Mai is quite accomplished in the art of leeches, bleeding, and vile-tasting concoctions. She also lacks any memory of who she is. This tends to make her glum.

Q. That's it?

A. Wait, there's more. Mai is something of an enigma - through Mat’s less than rapier-sharp deduction we learn that she never sleeps, mainly because of a canny stimulant. The concoction also transpires to be nepenthe, a drug that suppresses unpleasant memories. Apart from keeping her trim (ever seen a dedicated amphetamine user?) it tends to make her a touch paranoid.

Q. Why the sleep phobia?

A. Let’s just say Mai has unwelcome nocturnal visitations.

Q. Okaaay. So is this a love story?

A. Originally it wasn’t intended as such. There have been developments, but that’s all I’m saying.

Q. That’s stupid. Mat’s not exactly the romantic type.

A. But it’s fun to speculate. Besides, things aren’t that simple. There’s Cal, for instance...

Q. Cal? Not another authors-own...

A. Absolutely. And above the collective eye-rolling let me plead he’s no 'Stu. Yes he has a shady past, but also happens to be several plums shy of a full punnet. He’s also developed a certain attachment to one of the other characters.

Q. Slash, then?

A. No plans as yet.

Q. Aw. So, is the story AU?

A. I’d rather think of it as as something that happened to canon-Mat while Jordan was off exploring another character’s PoV.

Q. Why?

A. I’m not entirely sure.

Q. What’s with that prologue?

A. Hey, I was an uber-rookie then. It’s not big and it’s not clever, but we all have to start somewhere, right?

Q. Can I stop asking questions now?

A. Well, you could ask me why you should read Season of Change?

Q. sigh Why should I read Season of Change?

A. Because it’s the longest fic. in the WoT section and...um...some of the sentences aren't bad. And if you review it would make me happier than a clam – ask any bivalve, that’s very happy indeed – and I will dote on your words forever. Unless you flame me. Then I’ll ignore you.

Q. Can I go now?

A. Just hang on. The torment will end soon, I promise.

The wary reader shakes their head; are there no limits to this author's shameless pimpage? And yet a seed has been planted. With a deep breath and a sinking heart, the traveller clicks the first chapter into life and begins to read...

Good luck!

Iolo.