Top 10 Favorite Albums That Help Raine Thomas Create

A Writer’s Life welcomes Raine Thomas. I hope you will enjoy Raine’s contemporary and alternative list of music greats that help to inspire while she’s creating. Raine’s muse must be holding a lit lighter up at the end of most writing sessions. I am thrilled to see Raine’s new book For Everly here. Discover the writing of Raine Thomas for yourself and let the music play. Here is what Raine has to say about her favorite albums:

Most writers will tell you that music plays a huge part in the writing process. I’m not here to argue. Music not only helps writers “get in the mood,” but it often shapes our writing. I’ve veered drastically from outlines because of the music I happened to be listening to while writing a scene. In short, you could say that music makes me a better writer!

My music preferences aren’t as eclectic as some. While I’ve been known to tap into New Age and classic movie soundtracks for inspiration, for the most part, I’m an unabashed Top 40 gal. As a YA and NA author, my target audience is the same group who listens to Top 40 music, so this makes a lot of sense for me. I also find it helpful to know what popular songs are reaching this demographic so I know if there’s a story somewhere in the messages of those songs that needs to be written.

Over the years, I’ve developed a number of favorite albums containing songs that continue to make it onto my book playlists. Here are ten of those albums:

AUTHOR BIO AND LINKS:

Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of a bestselling series of YA fantasy/romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the Firstborn trilogy. Her latest book is a New Adult Contemporary Romance titled For Everly. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer’s Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing, or glued to social networking sites, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

Please enjoy Raine’s terrific tunes as her muse does . . . ever

Justin

1.

 

Green Day’s Dookie (1994)

This album released during a transitional time for me, right between high school and college. During this time, I moved to another state and got my first real job. This album spoke to me in a way that probably baffles most people who know me.

2.

Michael Bublé’s Crazy Love (2009)

I lost my job just before Christmas in 2008. During that time of unemployment, this album helped lift my spirits and got me through finishing my first complete novel (a historical romance that will never see the light of day).

3.

Nickelback’s All the Right Reasons (2005)

There are several Nickelback albums I love, but this one includes the song “Photograph.” That song is inspired…a story in and of itself. To me, it epitomizes a New Adult character.

4.

Nirvana’s Nevermind (1991)

My high school days weren’t as turbulent as some, but “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was an anthem for kids my age from the year it was released until I graduated in 1993. This album helps put me back into the high school mindset when I’m writing.

5.

OneRepublic’s Waking Up (2009)

A more recent album, this is one of my favorites by OneRepublic. I think my favorite song from the album is “Good Life,” which always puts me in a positive frame of mind.

6.

10,000 Maniacs’ Our Time in Eden (1992)

I nearly sang the song “These are Days” for my high school graduation with a friend of mine. The two of us played this album so many times our parents were ready to run us into the streets. It’s another album that transports me back to high school.

Confession: “These Are Days” is a song I sang in public karaoke the one and only time . . . love this song too, Raine!

7.

Alanis Morisette’s Jagged Little Pill (1995)

Ah, Alanis! How you managed to put all of my post high-school angst into music is beyond me…but bless you for doing so! I jammed to this album throughout my bachelor’s degree program.

8.

Alicia Keys’ Songs in A Minor (2001)

This album released the year I got married. Alicia’s smoky voice and the messages in songs like “A Woman’s Worth” are irresistible and inspiring.

9.

The Cranberries’ Everybody Else is Doing it, So Why Can’t We? (1993)

The album title alone on this one had me hooked, but throw in the single, “Dreams,” and this quickly became one of my favorite albums of all time. The fact that it released the year I graduated high school also helped me connect with it.

. . . and, finally, Sheryl Crow’s music appears back on the list . . . love that:

10.

Sheryl Crow’s Tuesday Night Music Club (1993)

Here’s another album released the year I graduated high school. The song “Strong Enough” makes it onto more of my book playlists than any other. I love Sheryl’s bluesy style!

Again, Raine, thank you so much for sharing your love of music and your books and writing life with us here at A Writer’s Life—may the music always enlighten and lead to curious mindsets.

Justin

Author Bio and Links:

Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of a bestselling series of YA fantasy/romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the Firstborn trilogy. Her latest book is a New Adult Contemporary Romance titled For Everly. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer’s Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing, or glued to social networking sites, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

Ways readers can connect with Raine:

Twitter (http://twitter/Raine_Thomas)
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/rainethomas)
Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5053436.Raine_Thomas)
Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/raine_thomas/)
Linkedin (http://www.linkedin.com/pub/raine-thomas/53/111/bb3)
Website (http://rainethomas.com)
Blog (http://RaineThomas.com/blog/)

 

  

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