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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.

Wuthering Heights

by Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë’s only novel, was published in 1847. It narrates the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, exploring themes of revenge, jealousy, and the destructive nature of love. Set against the moody backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, it remains a profound exploration of the human psyche and the complexities of the heart.

Read more about Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights
akin to you on the mothers side? And that minx, Catherine Linton, or
Earnshaw, or however she was calledshe must have been a
changelingwicked little soul! She told me she had been walking the
earth these twenty years: a just punishment for her mortal
transgressions, Ive no doubt!”

Scarcely were these words uttered when I recollected the association of
Heathcliffs with Catherines name in the book, which had completely
slipped from my memory, till thus awakened. I blushed at my
inconsideration: but, without showing further consciousness of the
offence, I hastened to add—“The truth is, sir, I passed the first part
of the night in—” Here I stopped afreshI was about to sayperusing
those old volumes,” then it would have revealed my knowledge of their
written, as well as their printed, contents; so, correcting myself, I
went on—“in spelling over the name scratched on that window-ledge. A
monotonous occupation, calculated to set me asleep, like counting, or—”

“What _can_ you mean by talking in this way to _me!_” thundered
Heathcliff with savage vehemence. “Howhow _dare_ you, under my
roof?—God! hes mad to speak so!” And he struck his forehead with rage.
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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