Spark

BEYOND THE STORY

Spark Playlist

“Blow” by Ke$ha

I probably listened to this song a hundred times while writing Spark. It’s about a dance party, but the music is so penetrating that I’d turn off all the lights in the middle of the night, blast the song in my headphones, and write Gabriel’s fire scenes. Something about the electronic music behind the lyrics reminded me of fire alarms, and the intensity of the song kept the adrenaline going.

“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson

I’m a firm believer that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and Layne would feel the same way. This is totally a girl power song. Layne would love it.

“We Are Young” by fun

This song is all about being young and taking the world by storm. When I wrote the final scene between Gabriel and Layne, I imagined this song playing in the background.

“Stereo Hearts” by Gym Class Heroes, featuring Adam Levine

This is one of the sweetest songs I’ve ever heard, and I think it perfectly captures the romance between Layne and Gabriel.

“Everybody” by Ingrid Michaelson

This song is all about falling in love, and it’s completely innocent and lighthearted and, believe it or not, this song was my backdrop for writing about Hannah and Michael. (Don’t tell Michael. He’d be pissed.)

“Good Feeling” by Flo Rida

This song just makes me want to dance and gets my pulse going. Great backdrop for the action scenes.

“Without You” by David Guetta, featuring Usher

Another romantic song that makes me swoon for Layne and Gabriel.

“Love Bites” by Def Leppard

This is one of my favorite songs of all time, because it perfectly captures the pain of first love.

“Your Guardian Angel” by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

This song is a power ballad, and it works for both Layne and Gabriel. I think they’d both say that the other is their guardian angel, don’t you think?

“Mean” by Taylor Swift

This song is all about standing up to bullies—and I must have listened to it on repeat about a hundred times, right along with

“Blow.”

“When She Turns 18” by Christian TV

If there’s ever a perfect song for a boy telling off the father of his girlfriend, this is it.

“Start a Fire” by Ryan Star

This could be Gabriel’s theme song.

“You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” by The Offspring

This song is angry and intense and challenging and is exactly the kind of thing I’d expect Gabriel to blast in his headphones.

“Something Beautiful” by NeedToBreathe

This song is the theme song for the Elemental Series. Any time I need inspiration for a book, I start with this song.

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