diff --git a/gotta-go-fast.cabal b/gotta-go-fast.cabal
--- a/gotta-go-fast.cabal
+++ b/gotta-go-fast.cabal
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 name:                gotta-go-fast
-version:             0.1.2.0
+version:             0.1.3.0
 synopsis:            A command line utility for practicing typing
 description:
   A command line utility for practicing typing and measuring your WPM and accuracy. See the project <https://github.com/hot-leaf-juice/gotta-go-fast/blob/master/README.md README> for details.
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
                      , FormatCode
   main-is:             Main.hs
   ghc-options:         -threaded
-  build-depends:       base >=4.9 && <4.10
+  build-depends:       base >=4.9 && <4.11
                      , brick
                      , cmdargs
                      , directory
diff --git a/src/Main.hs b/src/Main.hs
--- a/src/Main.hs
+++ b/src/Main.hs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 module Main where
 
+import Data.Word (Word8)
 import Control.Monad (filterM)
 import System.Console.CmdArgs
   (Data, Typeable, args, cmdArgs, def, help, program, summary, typ, (&=))
@@ -16,6 +17,8 @@
   , width :: Int
   , tab :: Int
   , files :: [FilePath]
+  , fg_empty :: Word8
+  , fg_error :: Word8
   } deriving (Show, Data, Typeable)
 
 config :: Config
@@ -26,9 +29,13 @@
     help "The width at which to wrap lines (default: 80)"
   , tab = 4 &= typ "SIZE" &=
     help "The size of a tab in spaces (default: 4)"
+  , fg_empty = 8 &= typ "COLOUR" &=
+    help "The ISO colour code for empty (not yet typed) characters (default: 8)"
+  , fg_error = 1 &= typ "COLOUR" &=
+    help "The ISO colour code for errors (default: 1)"
   , files = def &= args &= typ "FILES"
   }
-  &= summary "Gotta Go Fast 0.1.2.0"
+  &= summary "Gotta Go Fast 0.1.3.0"
   &= help "Practice typing and measure your WPM and accuracy"
   &= program "gotta-go-fast"
 
@@ -51,4 +58,4 @@
       r <- randomRIO (0, length fs - 1)
       file <- readFile $ fs !! r
       sampled <- sample c file
-      run sampled
+      run (fg_empty c) (fg_error c) sampled
diff --git a/src/UI.hs b/src/UI.hs
--- a/src/UI.hs
+++ b/src/UI.hs
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 module UI (run) where
 
+import Data.Word (Word8)
+
 import Brick
   ( App(..), AttrName, BrickEvent(..), EventM, Location(..), Next, Widget
   , attrMap, attrName, continue, defaultMain, emptyWidget, fg, halt, padAll
@@ -10,7 +12,7 @@
 import Control.Monad.IO.Class (liftIO)
 import Data.Time (getCurrentTime)
 import Graphics.Vty
-  (Event(..), Key(..), Modifier(..), brightBlack, defAttr, red)
+  (Attr, Color(..), Event(..), Key(..), Modifier(..), defAttr, withStyle)
 
 import GottaGoFast
 
@@ -85,17 +87,20 @@
     _ -> continue s
 handleEvent s _ = continue s
 
-app :: App State e ()
-app = App
+app :: Attr -> Attr -> App State e ()
+app fgEmpty fgError = App
   { appDraw = draw
   , appChooseCursor = showFirstCursor
   , appHandleEvent = handleEvent
   , appStartEvent = return
   , appAttrMap = const $ attrMap defAttr
-    [(emptyAttr, fg brightBlack), (missAttr, fg red), (borderAttr, fg red)]
+    [(emptyAttr, fgEmpty), (missAttr, fgError), (borderAttr, fgError)]
   }
 
-run :: String -> IO ()
-run t = do
-  _ <- defaultMain app $ initialState t
+run :: Word8 -> Word8 -> String -> IO ()
+run fgEmptyCode fgErrorCode t = do
+  _ <- defaultMain (app fgEmpty fgError) $ initialState t
   return ()
+    where
+      fgEmpty = fg $ ISOColor fgEmptyCode
+      fgError = fg $ ISOColor fgErrorCode