Alain says aspiring songwriters should listen widely, understand basic song structure and focus on creating memorable hooks.
During a songwriting discussion on the No NDA Podcast, the singer-songwriter said listening to a large amount of music gives writers a foundation for understanding the type of songs they personally enjoy.
She said writers should first know what they want to discuss, whether the subject is love, faith, conflict or another theme.
Alain also highlighted traditional song structures involving verses, choruses and bridges, while noting that some modern songs do not always follow every conventional format.
She described the chorus or hook as one of the most important elements because it should be easy for listeners to remember after hearing it.
Alain encouraged writers to compare their work with songs they admire so they can understand familiar structures and techniques without copying another person’s material.
She also advised songwriters to read and organise their thoughts, saying strong writing requires ideas that make sense.
