The bass line is a good place to start, you'll either want to lock-in to a point, or play around the rhythm a little. Don't assume that the kick has to duplicate the bass part, although for some feels, it's essential. Sometimes it's interesting to put the kick in some of the spaces, but not so much that it complicates the feel of the song or becomes distracting.
Sometimes the guitar or piano tends to dictate the rhythmic feel, and those parts are worth considering.
As with most questions of this type, it depends on the song. Every case is different, and there are few pat answers as to what's right or wrong.
As for your approach, keep your ears open. A good rule of thumb is, if a certain part worked in another song, don't be afraid to try that first.
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