“You should take your stories and make a travel guide for bikers,” said the biker at the fire ring at a party/rally at Riders’ Roost, a biker-only campground.

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After a long minute of pondering, I responded. “That sounds boring, I believe I can do better than that, maybe a storybook with a travel theme.”

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“I challenge you to bring back the first chapter to next year’s party.”

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That was in 2012 at the Riders’ Roost anniversary party. Up until that time, I had written travel stories and abundant material for the corporate world.

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I took the challenge and brought back a manuscript for my first novel, The Lone Wolf Murders, A Motorcycle Adventure, published in 2013.

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And so, my concept of novels that not only entertain with a thrilling story, but encourage travel by motorcycle to real cool, unique destinations and backroads was born. Thanks to input from readers, I added maps and a glossary. Then, after a huge, beer-bellied biker came up and hugged me saying something the main character did in my first book saved his butt on the road, I added defensive riding tips with the help of several motorcycle organizations. A few readers mentioned pictures, so I added some in my latest novel, Flames. After all, my characters are inspired by those I meet on the road, while the story itself is guided by things that happen to me and others along the backroads. It is important to note—the murders are fictitious!

  

My novels have a brief glossary of common terms used by those that experience the road from a motorcycle’s saddle. They also include a directory of book settings and a map. Most importantly, there is a short list of defensive riding tips and best practices, most of them illustrated in this story of those that not only ride, but live for the experience and freedom that riding on two (or three) wheels brings.

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I do my best to entertain readers that ride or encounter motorcyclists on the road with a tale that will encourage them to explore frequently overlooked backroad settings while planting motorcycle safety and awareness seeds in their minds by instilling the habit of using the premise, “What if—?”.  The same premise can be used anytime and anywhere by anyone thinking ahead about the potential outcomes of their actions—Be prepared for it!

I try to be conservative with the dialog used by the characters. However, my stories feature bikers, veterans, and cops, so I do have to be realistic. These characters are fictitious as is the story, but they are inspired by the people, places, and events that I and others experience along the way to the story’s conclusion. I believe that fate, Karma, and/or a Divine spirit play an important part in the experiences I have when writing.

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If one accident is avoided due to the story, I feel the book is successful. If a vehicle operator looks twice and avoids crossing the path of another, the book did its job. If the reader shares a thought or tip with another with the desire to help them avoid a mishap—I am ecstatic! Enough said.

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Enjoy your ride—Safely and defensively!

W. L.