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Practice your writing by typing out classic literature. This method not only enhances your understanding of rhythm, structure, and nuances but also connects you deeply with the timeless flow of literary history.This is a BETA version.

Type the words from the book. We gave you 4 words to start with.

Cranford is a novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, first published in 1851. It is a humorous and poignant portrayal of the lives of the residents of the small town of Cranford, focusing on the experiences of the town, particularly the lives of the town's older residents. The novel is a social satire that explores themes of society, social dynamics, and the human condition.

Cranford
days,—imaginative children go through many phases and trials of their
own,—in her hours of childish sorrow and trouble she used to run away
from her aunts house across the Heath and hide herself in one of its
many green hollows, finding comfort in the silence, and in the company
of birds and insects and natural things. But at other times she had
delightful games of play with her cousins in the sweet old family house
at Sandlebridge, where so many Hollands in turn had lived.

The old house stands lonely in a beautiful and tranquil position, with
a waving prospect of fields and shady trees and hedges, reaching to the
hills which rise in the far distance. As we stood there we could see
Alderley Edge clean painted against the stormy sky. Just before reaching
the house the road dips into a green hollow, where stands a forge which
has been there for over two hundred years, handed down from father to
son. Just beyond the forge is an old mill, shaded by beautiful trees; we
could hear the peaceful sounds of labour, the clanking blows of the
anvil, the soft monotonous thud of the mill.
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Why Type a Masterpiece?

Typing out classical literature is not just an exercise in patience; it's a deeply immersive way to understand the rhythm, structure, and nuances of great writing. By manually reproducing the works of renowned authors, you engage with the text on a level that reading alone cannot offer. This method allows you to feel the flow of sentences, the choice of words, and the intricate construction of paragraphs that make these works timeless.

Style is a very simple matter; it is all rhythm. Once you get that, you can't use the wrong words.

– Virginia Woolf

literati is a unique platform where writers can select from a vast collection of public domain classics to type out. This practice is akin to a musician playing pieces by the masters to internalize the elements of composition and performance. Just as the musician learns the subtleties of each note and chord, the writer learns the power of each word and sentence.

Prose is like hair; it shines with combing.

– Gustave Flaubert

Engaging directly with masterpieces allows writers to absorb the rhythm of the text, the ebb and flow of its pacing, and the beauty of its imagery. It cultivates an appreciation for the craft of writing and provides invaluable lessons in how to construct compelling narratives, develop characters, and evoke emotions in readers. Happy typing!

The only truth is music.

– Jack Kerouac

More on this topic:

"Imitate then innovate", an article by David Perell