Deep Cuts

Every time I sit down to write an article on here (which, yes, I know, it’s been a minute), I say something about how difficult the novel revision process has been for me. Whether or not I’m writing, I’m consuming content about writing. Written for writers by other writers. The content is chock-full of advice, resources, interesting tidbits, etc. A lot of them talk about “writing hygiene” and the importance of a writing ritual. I think I’m currently ignoring every rule of writing hygiene by constantly breaking my focus to pay attention to the tv show I put on as background noise but have found myself interested in nonetheless, and stopping to pick up the pint of Ben&Jerry’s I impulsively purchased at 7-Eleven.

Writing is very important to me. I do it for my job and I do it for fun because I love it. One thing that instantly makes writing not-so-fun, is putting rules around it. Of course, it’s important to prioritize a passion and especially so because I hope it one day becomes my career. Therefore, rules are necessary. So, even though it goes against every advice article I’ve ever read, here I am, on my couch, half watching a show, eating ice cream, and writing. Because that’s the only way writing is going to happen today.

I started this article with the loosest of threads of ideas, which is why you’re probably reading this and thinking “Get to the point, already!” Don’t worry, I’m about to do just that. I’ve had a very busy few weeks lately and have barely had any time to do my own writing. So, rather than have an existential crisis about how I’m never going to finish the third draft of my novel, I decided to write about someone else’s writing. A book review. This is new for me and I hope you like it!

I recently finished the novel Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley, and let me tell you, I loved it. It was witty from the moment the main character, Percy, started speaking, and I could tell she was one of those characters that would burrow under my skin. She’s likable, so I rooted for her success, even though she’s also abrasive, making the people pleaser within me squirm when she says whatever she’s thinking without a filter. Percy meets Joe, a fellow Berkeley student, at a bar one night. She’s sharing opinions about music in a way people often find annoying, but Joe is fascinated by her unique take. As a musician himself, Joe is interested in what she thinks about the classics and, of course, his own music. This sparks a collaboration that takes them throughout the rest of college and into their twenties. Percy’s longstanding loneliness is suddenly curbed by Joe and his music, in addition to the presence of his girlfriend, Zoey. Joe sends Percy his music, she gives her opinions, and their constant back and forth produces incredible songs.

Percy nurses a crush on Joe throughout this process, and her longing is palpable. If you read my last post, you know I love when characters yearn. It builds the tension. Also, as a mid/late 90s baby who grew up adjacent to the early aughts but was too young to experience them in their glory, I thoroughly enjoyed the time frame (late 90s, early 2000s), with its indie sleaze vibe and hipster characters.

Anyway, Percy, Joe, and Zoey ping pong from the west coast to the east and back again. They fall in and out of touch, as well as love, and one has to wonder whether or not Percy and Joe will ever end up together. First and foremost, Deep Cuts is about the love of music and the desire to find one’s voice. I liked this most of all, because what is music if not a way to express oneself? Percy does have feelings for Joe, she always has, and every time he re-enters her life, their connection snaps back into place. It’s undeniable, how drawn they are to each other. Like magnets constantly being pulled apart only to find their way back to one another. They frustrate each other, support each other, fight, and make up. Ultimately, they love each other, and I liked that Deep Cuts was about the process of loving all of someone, through every phase, tethered by their shared appreciation of music. The purpose of this book wasn’t whether or not they end up together (I won’t spoil it for you, don’t worry), but about the paths they took, wending them into each other’s orbit over and over again.

A deep cut (I’m sure you know this but I’m going to tell you anyway) is a song by an artist that’s not as well known but beloved by those who do. Every chapter of Deep Cuts is given a song name as a title, which is, of course, a deep cut, that relates to what the chapter is about. If you want to laugh, yearn, and dissect what constitutes a perfect song, look no further than Deep Cuts.

📚 I’ve seen people end their newsletters with updates about what they’re reading and watching and I like that! Currently, I’m reading Emily Henry’s latest release, Great Big Beautiful Life. Stay tuned for a review in the near future!

🎥 I went to see The Materialists on opening night and I loved it! Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans were the perfect trio for this movie. Highly recommend.

✨ What else do you want to see on The Lively Word? Leave a comment and let me know!