How Do You Create a Hot, Delicious Hero?

I’ll be teaching a workshop in September called Writing Hot, Delicious Love Scenes, and today I want talk about one important ingredient in those sizzling scenes—the hero. You have a chance to win a $15 discount off my love scene workshop by commenting below. (Yes, that means the winner will only need to pay $5 if they want to take my workshop.) Comment any time between now and Friday at noon Eastern, at which time I’ll draw one name and announce it here soon after that.

To write hot, delicious love scenes, first you need a hot, delicious hero. His yumminess factor needs to be established early, in his first scene. And in every scene that follows, build his appeal even higher. He should be physically attractive, preferably on a larger-than-life scale. That means he isn’t your average guy next door. But he doesn’t need to be model material either. The heroine (and your reader) simply needs to find him incredibly attractive. If you saw him on the street, your jaw would drop and you’d stare longer than you should. You’d be like, OMG; I want to lick him. He’s tall, he’s muscular, he’s extremely masculine. He has those really good genes. And of course he looks hot in a pair of jeans… or in a kilt, or in nothing at all. ;-)

He’s strong physically and tough mentally, but he isn’t perfect.

After this, add another layer of appeal in his personality, his attitude, his outlook. Is he a bad boy who likes to tempt and tease the good girls to do naughty things? Is he dark and angsty and hungry for the heroine? Is he charming and playful in bed? Deep down, this guy is intensely sensual. He loves sex and he loves a lot of sex. Sexuality oozes from his pores. He smells so yummy (natural pheromones mixed with a tiny bit of cologne), if a woman is standing near him in line at Target, she will get lightheaded from trying to inhale him. He doesn’t have to say anything; he shows his sex appeal in his body language, in that focused dark look in his eyes, in his decisive actions.

To create a hot but lovable hero, add something else early in your story, something you might find surprising—a problem he has, a big flaw, or his vulnerability. Why? Because no one likes a perfect person. And this makes a woman think, oh, poor baby. He needs a hug! He needs the love of a good woman. He needs a good woman in bed to take his mind off his problems. In other words, he instantly becomes sympathetic. Your reader will start falling in love with him then and there. This vulnerability or problem could be hidden from the heroine or barely visible, but she suspects something is wrong—something she needs to uncover so she can nurture and help him heal.

Another trait that makes a hero incredibly appealing to the reader or the heroine is compassion. He cares. Certain things are important to him and matter to him. He isn’t just an alpha warrior robot. Even if he hides all his emotions, he still has them. Exactly what and who he cares deeply about will vary depending on the hero and the story. It also means he pays attention to the heroine and those around him that he protects. If he sees they need something, he provides it for them. This shows he has heart, as well as his human side and why he is deserving of love.

What is it about a hero you find appealing and delicious? Which trait makes you gaga or weak in the knees? If you want to name your favorite delicious hero, please do. He can be from a book, movie or real life. Please comment before noon Friday to be in the contest drawing.

Click here to learn more about my September workshop:

Writing Hot, Delicious Love Scenes

Thanks for stopping by!

Nicole

Devil in a Kilt, Red Sage Secrets Vol. 27

Beast in a Kilt, Red Sage Secrets Vol. 29

www.nicolenorth.com