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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.

Modern is a novel by Victoria Benedictsson, published in 1883. It is a naturalistic novel that explores the themes of love, marriage, and the human condition. The novel is considered to be a part of Benedictsson’s late, naturalistic period.

Read more about Victoria Benedictsson
Modern
Jag lägger handen  ditt bröst och känner hur hjertat slår, jag
stryker min kind mot den svarta, krusiga rökhvirfveln  din panna, jag
lutar mig ner och möter den förskrämda blicken under dina högt bågade
bryn--

Jag vaknade upp och märkte, att man betraktade mig.

Min uppsyn måtte ha varit mer än lofligt naiv, ty gentlemannen med
cigarrerna såg ut som anade han en medtäflare; och midt emot mig stod en
gammal skeptisk herre och log.

Mitt eget ironiska smil!

       *       *       *       *       *

Länge efter det hon slutat skrifva satt hon kvar vid bordet och stirrade
ut genom fönstren med pennan i hand. Det låg ett uttryck af stilla
glädje öfver hennes drag.

För henne var det icke som för andra: endast en ungdomlig stämning
kastad ner  papperet, fixerad med stilens konst. För henne var det 
oändligt mycket mer. Det betydde ett genombrott af menskliga känslor i
ett förfruset sinne; det betydde våren som ändtligen kom med spirande
skott och sjudande saf och gaf löfte om en sommar med växtlighet och
gröda. Det betydde för henne sjelf frigörelsen från en ständigt
tryckande ånget--det betydde räddningen för hennes barn!

Hon doppade åter pennan och tillade:
If you're having any issues, please let me know.

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