by Louise Allen

I only wish I knew. I’m working on my 28th Historical and while I can usually spot the origins of a plot idea, and heroines make themselves known in an orderly, well-mannered way, I can never tell where my heroes have come from. Sometimes I’m convinced they exist in a parallel universe, all ready to step out and take over my book, just when I’m deluding myself that I’ve got it all under control.

That certainly happened with Lord Sebastian Ravenhurst, aka Jack Ryder, inspiration for my series Those Scandalous Ravenhursts.

The hero of No Place For A Lady needed a discreet enquiry agent to trace his long-lost wife. I was confidently expecting a retired Bow Street Runner to turn up, but no, in strolls Jack Ryder with his grey, swordsman’s, eyes, his skills as a card sharp and his very mysterious background. After I’d finished fanning myself and struggling to keep the man under control and stop him taking over the book, I knew I had to tell Jack’s story.

I didn’t mean to write a series, but Jack/Sebastian was not going to retreat from the stage once he had found his true love. Oh no, he had every intention of settling down at the desk with me and telling me all about the rest of his family, his sister and an extended network of cousins. Before I knew it, I had a series on my hands and the men were all very positive about who they were and what their names were.

Bad Boy Theophilus (well, his father’s a bishop) became assertive about his red hair, however much I tried to make him a blond, Gareth was quite clear that I was wrong about him being respectable, sensible and responsible, Eden dug his heels in and showed alarming signs of never admitting that love existed, Ashe was far too much of a flirt for what I had in mind, and as for Nathan – I’m bracing myself now for him to appear.

Are my heroes responding to what my subconscious is telling me is right for my heroines, all of whom I know very well before I type the first word? Logic tells me it must be that, but experience makes me wonder. And it isn’t just my heroes either. I’ve lost count of the emails from fellow writers, all bemoaning their hero’s latest blow for independence. “He’s kissed her!” they complain. “He isn’t meant to, not yet!” “He’s been married before,” they gasp. “I never knew that!”

My heroines, on the other hand, all have sensible discussions with me if they don’t agree with something, pointing out the roots of their motivation, explaining why they feel as they do. But my heroes? Independent, assertive and downright difficult to a man – mind you, I wouldn’t have it any other way.