I don't know about other erotic romance authors, but in my world, the stories always start with a guy. A guy whose personality, demeanor, appearance, character...oh, let's cut to the chase, a guy who turns me on.

Only occasionally do I think, "Oh now here's a cool plot line with all kinds of erotic possibilities I could develop." Nope, it starts with a guy. A guy I can't resist, a guy who makes my heart flutter, a guy I would love to take me to bed. So where do I find these sexy heroes?

Well, more often than not, I steal them.

Yes, I admit it. When I'm starting a new sensual tale, there's typically a man in my life that provides plenty of inspiration, and I pilfer from him when inventing my own protagonist. It could be a real life person, or a character in a book, movie or TV show who inspires me. But I'll start with my impressions of that fellow, and derive my hero from him.

It's not really plagiarism. That's because typically it doesn't take long before my character has forced upon me his own personality, which it is merely reminiscent of the original source. I dare say, reading the eventual story, you might never guess who first inspired me.

These past couple of weeks I had this precise thing happen to me while writing my latest story, so I'll let you in on the secret, behind-the-scenes process. Thrilling, hey? Well, it all began with my well publicized (on my personal blog, that is) crush on Dr. Gregory House from the show "House, M.D." I fought the urge to get into this show for years but only recently succumbed. I always knew if I ever took up watching it, I'd be a goner for Dr. House by the end of the first episode I saw.

This character is the star of the daydreams of millions of women. He is prickly, offensive, charismatic, hilarious, vulnerable, dysfunctional, brilliant, and heroic. And the most charming curmudgeon in pop culture history. For chicks who are tempted by the prospect of being the one woman who can fix a broken man, House is irresistible. For those of us drawn to ass#ole$ who nevertheless win your heart every time by being so too damn witty, this is our guy.

Obviously I could not go to my grave without doing a House character. Enter Dr. Richard Chambliss, not a medical doctor but a professor of psychology. I recognized that Dr. House's position on the show as a teaching doctor was part of his charm: he's an genius authority figure, a cranky shaman, a maladjusted mentor. Similar archetype to a college professor. And that teacher-crush thang is a universal phenomenon—who hasn't experienced its joys and agonies at least once?

Physically I made Chambliss attractive but not a pretty boy, just like House. And the rest was easy: just use the House-like voice that now inhabits and haunts my head. Really, it wasn't necessary for Dr. Chambliss to do a precise House impression, as long as he sustained in me the excitement and infatuation I feel for Hugh Laurie's marvelous character.

I'm convinced as long as I feel passion for the heroes I write, they will be able to move my readers. That's the key to this whole approach to writing erotica. If I find the protagonist sexy, we're good to go.

And Professor Chambliss really worked for me. In the end he turned out quite a bit different than Dr. House, and I doubt anyone would see the resemblance without it being pointed out to them--perhaps not even then. Nevertheless, therein lay the fuel for the fire as I wrote this story.

What other inspirational examples can I provide from my past works? Well, real-life survivalist Les "Survivorman" Stroud was the basis for the hero of "Spacewrecked with Joel Fennimore." Edward J. Olmos's portrayal of Admiral Adama on "Battlestar Galactica" was my jumping off point for the protagonist of "The Chieftain's Man." A local bead store owner inspired "The Guy from Beadsville." And director M. Night Shyamalan played a part in the development of the videographer in "Alloy Love." Really, I could list so many more...sigh....

Personally, I think it only makes sense that romance writing works this way. The most powerful characters in literature are archetypes, those universal characters that strike a reliable chord every time. House and Chambliss are a more mature, quirky version of the Bad Boy. Les and Joel are daredevils/rescuers. Edward and the Admiral are soldier and leaders. M. Night and my videographer are examples of the creative shaman. Whenever you find a character that moves a lot of people the same way, be it Mr. Darcy or Heath Ledger's Joker, you can bet there are more heroes that can spring from the same well.

That's a well whose depths I enjoy plumbing again and again. To paraphrase the old slogan: Sexy heroes are my business, my only business.

Diana Laurence is the author of the Soulful Sex anthologies of erotic romance fiction, and released her last book Bloodchained in September 2007 (www.bloodchained.com). Diana's works are published by Living Beyond Reality Press (www.livingbeyondreality.com.)
Visit her at www.dianalaurence.com or enjoy her blog at www.eroticawithsoul.blogspot.com.