Have you heard of umami?
It’s the 5th taste.
But umami is more difficult to define than sourness, sweetness, bitterness, and saltiness. It is often translated as a savory taste; and soy sauce, steak, mushrooms, broth, and even some cheese all have umami.
I used to think it was a weird idea. How can mushrooms be similar in taste as a sizzling steak?
But once you learn to detect umami, you start to appreciate its tantalizing power.
A good writing style has umami, too
But what is it?
Writing coaches often tell us to read more to improve our writing. But it’s a rather vague suggestion. What do you look for when you read? How can you taste and learn to appreciate different writing styles?
I recently read a few of Raymond Chandler’s books. Chandler is known as a great stylist but I was surprised I didn’t really connect with his stories—they seemed a little slow. Or perhaps I was too distracted? Despite that, I still appreciated his writing style.
Would you like to know what makes his style such a pleasure to read?
Want to make your own writing—even business writing—more enjoyable for readers, too?
1. Write with meaning
Chandler’s The Long Goodbye starts with an intriguing image:
The first time I laid eyes on Terry Lennox he was drunk in a Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith outside the terrace of The Dancers.
That one sentence not only sketches a clear picture of a drunk person in a Rolls-Royce outside a nightclub, it also makes us want to read on. Who is this person? Why is he drunk in such an expensive car? What’s the connection with the narrator? And what happens at the second time he sees Lennox?
Business writing is full of meaningless drab, and opening sentences often are yawn-inducing because they’re so obvious. Imagine this as an opening for a post about a Google algorithm change:
SEO experts love to talk about Google ranking factors.
(Oh realllllly? What a surprise! But seriously, isn’t that their job?)
And websites are full of gobbledygook headlines, such as:
Business Solution Providers
We have worked with small businesses like yours for 30 years to hone our solutions and meet your needs.
(Uhm … soooooo … what exactly do you do?)
Good writing is meaningful and it sketches clear imagery. Like this from Chandler’s The Big Sleep:
She slammed her glass down so hard that it slopped over on an ivory cushion. She swung her legs to the floor and stood up with her eyes sparking fire and her nostrils wide. Her mouth was open and her bright teeth glared at me. Her knuckles were white.
And please don’t tell me business writers can’t do this. Our topics may be different but we can also sketch vivid imagery, like Apple does here (text bolded by me):
We put the brains of iPhone 11 Pro in the body of iPhone SE. A13 Bionic is the fastest chip in a smartphone. So everything feels fluid, whether you’re launching apps, playing the latest games, or exploring new ways to work and play with augmented reality.
Whether you’re writing fiction, a memoir, or a business book or blog post, a good writing style starts with meaningful writing and vivid imagery.
This case study shows you how to make business writing more vivid
2. Write with rhythm
Writing can hop, skip, and dance.
Or it can stutter and stumble.
Writing can flow softly like the ripples in a lake dappled with sunshine, or writing can speed ahead like the rapids in a river, roaring, rolling, splashing, foaming, crushing, and thundering breathlessly, seemingly for ever without pause.
Punctuation, sentence length, and sound or word repetition all contribute to the rhythm in writing. For instance, this paragraph in Chandler’s The Long Goodbye describes a sluggish, lazy morning with long sentences:
It was the kind of morning that seems to go on for ever. I was flat and tired and dull and the passing minutes seemed to fall into a void, with a soft whirring sound, like spent rockets. Birds chirped in the shrubbery outside and the cars went up and down Laurel Canyon Boulevard endlessly. Usually I wouldn’t even hear them. But I was brooding and irritable and mean and over-sensitive. I decided to kill the hangover.
After the long, languid sentences, Chandler changes the pace. The last sentence (I decided to kill the hangover) is shorter to convey a sense of decisive action.
Chandler also creates rhythm by repeating the word and multiple times in one sentence. Did you notice that in the example above? Here’s one more example from The Big Sleep:
She laughed suddenly and sharply and went half-way through the door, then turned her head to say coolly: ‘You’re as cold-blooded a beast as I ever met, Marlowe. Or can I call you Phil?’
A high-school teacher might tell us off for using the word and so often. But Chandler doesn’t care about his high-school teacher. He cares about rhythm; he listens to the drum beat of his writing.
How to write with rhythm; How to use word repetition; and How to write a delightful long sentence
3. Play with words
Good stylists are word watchers, collectors, and hoarders.
They care about the words in their sentences and choose their words with piercing precision. Here’s how Chandler describes high pile carpet in Farewell, My Lovely:
The carpet almost tickled my ankles.
And this is how he describes a stuffy office in The Big Sleep:
His office had the musty smell of years of routine.
When you read Chandler’s writing, you sense he’s having fun choosing his words and creating vivid, sometimes crazy similes. This is from Farewell, My Lovely:
Even on Central Avenue, not the quietest dressed street in the world, he looked about as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food.
And from The Long Good-bye:
He was a guy who talked with commas, like a heavy novel.
And:
An hour crawled by like a sick cockroach.
Good writers love words, and you can sense that in their writing. While they choose their words with care and precision, they also nurture a playfulness. It’s this playfulness and their love of language that help shape their writing style.
How to improve your writing style
I occasionally get told off for sharing examples from memoirs and fiction writing.
Shouldn’t a blog about business writing use only business examples?
But fiction writers are the master stylists.
Of course, some business writers are excellent stylists, too. I’ve often sung the praises of my favorites Chip and Dan Heath, of Apple’s copywriters, and several more.
But to improve your style, look at a wider circle of input. Find the writers that enchant you, and note the meaning and imagery in their writing. Read their books aloud to appreciate their rhythm, and nurture your own love of words.
Find your own favorite writers, and learn from them. That’s how you fine-tune your style and find your own voice.
Add umami to your writing
Umami comes from the Japanese word umai—deliciousness.
Kazu Katoh, a Japanese chef, said about umami: “It’s something that’s kind to the body. (…) It’s about feeling good after eating.”
Isn’t that what we strive for as writers, too?
To write something not just nutritious but also delicious to read … something that lingers in our readers’ minds—like the taste of a mature cheese or a mushroom risotto or a stir-fried beef with ginger, broccoli, and fish sauce.
Happy writing, my friend.
Recommended reading on discovering your writing genius:
Imagery examples: How to paint pictures with words
Rhythm in writing: How to make your words swing and swirl
Repetition in writing: How to make your writing resonate
An absolutely refreshing read! Makes me want to dust off some of my Chandler books. I think those of us who are SEOs have an added layer of complication to our writing. It’s worth taking the time to learn how to spice up your writing and still accomplish your other goals.
I’m glad you enjoyed this, Connie!
My inclination has always been the opposite. Put the reader first and write well, and put SEO second. It feels much harder to me to do it the other way around.
Love all the food metaphors you use. You have great content in your articles that I am excited to read!
Thanks a lot, Mel. That’s a lovely compliment. I’m glad you’re enjoying my food metaphors 🙂
All I can think about now is using the word umami in my writing. 😀 Such a pleasant read on a Friday morning.
The sluggish, lazy morning example connected with me the most. The repetitive use of the word ‘and,’ and minutes falling into a void took me back to the mornings I couldn’t stop yawning. Thank you for sharing these examples. 🙂
I know the feeling of slow morning, too! I’m not a morning person so I’m a pretty slow starter most days 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by, Sharayu. I much appreciate it.
I really enjoy your writing, Henneke, and your suggestions and I truly agreed with these tips. As I saw myself a few years ago, I’d tell people I don’t have writing skills. Not only other people, I also tell myself that I don’t write anything unique. Bbut as a passage of time I start reading books, articles etc. Now I somehow write something good. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you for your compliment on my writing, Bilal. And I agree with you — reading more can have a big impact on our writing. Happy writing!
Thanks, Henneke for this amazing blog on becoming a better writer. Learnt about Umami for the first time today, and you explained it very well.
I’m glad you enjoyed this blog post, Sambit. Happy writing!
Thank you Henneke. Another masterful lesson in becoming a better writer.
And the links are a nice bonus too. All the Best.
Stay well.
I’m glad you enjoyed this, Barry, and that the links were useful, too. I hope you’re staying well and safe, too. Take care.
Great discussion. I second the suggestion to read, read, read. Read anything and everything from Bill Bryson, Hemingway, Pico Iyer, Natalie Goldberg, Walter Mosley, Octavia Butler, to e. e. Cummings, H. G. Wells, and the beat poets of the ’60s. Take a writing class to learn a different skill or study a different style. Practice free writing or journaling every day. That builds the writing muscles like musicians practicing the scales. Your discussion of the word umami gave me the idea to investigate it further and see if I can find a way to describe it like a poet would.
Thank you for adding your reading recommendations, Carla. It looks like I still have a lot of reading to do as I’ve only read books of three of the authors you’ve mentioned. 🙂
I guess umami itself is just as hard to describe as what exactly it is that adds that extra spark to your writing 😉 It is easily recognisable, but hard to pin down.
Yes, that’s so true. I’ve not come across a good description of how umami tastes.
Me neither. I imagine a crossover between brussels sprouts and herring.
Hello Kitty and Henneke,
I too find it hard to describe umami but would say it’s a deep, savoury and salty combination with a touch of earth like soy sauce or black truffles.
Henneke, thanks a million for demystifying the art of good writing with well chosen examples, style and care.
I like your description of umami, Nath, especially the “touch of earth.”
Thanks so much for adding that!
Love this article, particularly #3 play with words. I can use a little more of this in my profession (finance) to lighten up the conversation with women and their money. Thank you!
Yes, that sounds good. It may also help to think about the words women use in everyday conversations about money.
Inspirational. I loved the Chandler examples. Thanks for keeping us pacing anxiously like runners before a marathon.
I’m glad you enjoyed the examples, Cassie. It was a pleasure to select them for this post 🙂
Your blog posts are fast becoming my go-to place for book to read.
First it was Elif Shafak and now Raymond Chandler.
After reading your post describing Elif Shafak’s 10 minutes and 38 seconds, I went on to read three of her books.
And now Raymond Chandler…
Thanks!
I’m actually not sure whether I’d recommend Chandler. I loved his writing style but I didn’t connect with his storytelling, finding it a little slow. But you might have a different view! I’d be curious to hear your views.
Thank you for stopping by, Pavitra.
Oh, you’re second one to say that!
I plan to read it for the writing style though.
Te sigo recientemente, y escribes de una forma tan sencilla y gráfica que me siento ahogado en el mar de letras que coloco en mis textos, solo con tus bocadillos he aprendido mucho. Gracias.
Thank you, Eduardo. I’m glad you’re enjoying my writing 🙂
Another delicious post. Thank you Henneke. I feel excited about dialling up my umami 🙂
Thank you, Claire. Happy cooking! 🙂
I had never heard of the 5th taste, so interesting! I’ll now be searching for this unique concept every time I have cheese 😉
Your examples really helped me to understand what you meant. The sick cockroach got me… 😂
Thanks for a great post.
The sick cockroach is such a weird idea, isn’t it?
I hope you’ll enjoy your cheese (with umami) even more! 🙂
You use great examples here Henneke and thanks for the reference materials. I am inspired to practice.
Thank you, Andrea. Happy writing!
Henneke,
I’m french and english is not my native langage. But I read all your emails, all your blog’s publishings. The quality of your writings is amazing. It’s a delight to read your words.
Thank you !
Thank you so much for your lovely compliment, Christine. Happy writing!
Evergreen writing style.
Thank you so much for sharing it.
Thank you, Hasan. 🙂
I love your content, I discovered you recently and can’t stop to read every post.
Thank you, Carmen. Happy reading!
Great article, Henneke, and a unique idea.
RE your comment, “As I mentioned 3 weeks ago, writing has been a struggle recently. But today, I feel like I’m back. ”
I can’t picture you, of all people, ever having a struggle with writing. In fact, when I mentioned to my banker how everything that comes off your keyboard is pure gold, he asked me to find out where you get your keyboards . . . 🙂
My keyboard has been overused through the years. The k, l, m, and n have all worn off. It’s good that I can touch type so I still know which is which 🙂
I think it’s natural for all of us to struggle with our writing sometimes, no matter how experienced we are.
Hi Henneke,
As a matter o fact, I also need that keyboard, even though it’s worn out. I can still manage 😀 . Your articles are precious.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Moss. You can borrow it 🙂
By the way, the s is disappearing fast, too.
Love it. Thank you Henneke!
Thank you, Robert!
Whoa!
You nailed it again, Henneke.
So enjoyable and informative and inspiring.
Thank you, Mike. What a lovely compliment!
Thank you, Henneke. I’m going to take another look at the three prologues recently completed to improve with umami.
Happy writing, Laura! And thank you for stopping by. 🙂
This post. Your meaningfulness. Thank you. Your life-giving depth is felt. We love you, Henneke.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Natalie 💕
Yay! Henneke’s back and her post is sizzling.
Thank you, thank you, Diane 🙂
Thanks,
Awesome advice. Style, rhythm, and how to use words. Thrilling was Chandler’s use of similes. Brilliant Henneke!
I love Chandler’s similes. He uses similes a lot. I had many to choose from having read just three of his books.
Fascinating that the inventors of MSG would have a name for the fifth taste. And a biologist I know says MSG has no flavor and is not about what it does to the food, but what it does to the tongue, making the tongue think the food tastes delicious.
For me the question is about quantity, though. When I’m writing, I worry about excess. I fear I tend toward excess, actually.
How do we know when the writing has become more about the author’s skill in choosing unique, cute phrases and less about communicating a good flow of meaning? When does it become author intrusion? Do we really want the reader laughing at our word choice in the middle of, say, the building of tension in a murder mystery?
Or, if our fans love our word choices, love buying our books, and form a club based on discussing our word choices, making us rich and famous, then does it matter?
I remember receiving a catalog twice; I wish I’d kept them both. The descriptions of the clothing were genius. I never bought anything from it, but loved reading in those catalogs. I scarcely remember the clothing because I only wanted to meet the writer—wanted to be the writer…
What I learned is that the inventor of MSG wanted to replicate the taste of the broth his wife used to make. He called that taste umami, and later on scientists discovered that we actually have separate taste receptors for umami so it is indeed a fifth taste. MSG is often call artificial umami while ingredients like soy sauce, anchovies, fish sauce, Parmesan cheese, steak, mushrooms etc have a natural umami. I’ve also heard that MSG doesn’t have a taste itself; instead it makes the taste of a dish stronger, more fully flavored. I don’t really know how exactly that chemical process works.
I agree with you that we should be careful with our dosage, just like too much salt spoils a dish, too. The first objective is always to write with meaning and clarity so people get our message. Nutrition comes first. For me, a good writing style is almost unnoticeable—until you make an effort to understand why you like a certain style.
‘His office had the musty smell of years of routine.’
Blimey, that’s good.
I agree. I’m secretly wishing I’d written it myself. 😉
Always so inspiring. Love your posts.
Paer
Thank you, Paer 🙂
Wow! I read through this with my eyes, nose, and mouth.😁
I was intrigued by ‘umami’ because it sounds like someone I know,’Uwami’. Well, that’s how I pronounced it until I spotted the difference.
Wanted knowing the meaning of the word. Kept reading until I found it at the bottom. Such display of suspense.
Obviously, I need to learn how to use similes when crafting content.
I enjoyed this piece.
Now, I’m intrigued to know what the name Uwami means!
Hey Heneke
You are absolutely unique. It’s just because of your personality is totally different from the writers.
Allah swt has endowed you uniquely writing style.
The meal doesn’t have good taste if the chef cook is not really different from other chef cooks.
On top of that what makes the meal different is the ingredients.
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing tips in writing skills.
I think everyone is unique and we all have a unique writing style. Often we simply need a little encouragement and practice. We have to give ourselves the freedom to try and experiment to find our unique style or as a chef would say: our signature style.
Interesting analogy. Made me think. I usually write with a mix of sweetness and saltiness, watching to avoid bitter and sour. Now I can try to add deliciousness. Seems like it would be the best for persuasive writing in business.
That sounds good. Now and then, I also like a hint of spiciness in writing 🙂
Food for thought my friend. Your stir fry has made me hunger for something pungent. A beef, brocolli and ginger fry up with fish sauce sounds different. And it needs a beer I think. I’m so glad you’re feeling better.
A beer would be great with the stir fry. Now, you’re making me thirsty 🙂
If you try the recipe, I recommend also a couple of chilies.
Enchanting Reading!
… and so, so useful.
Many thanks,
Macca
Thank you, Macca. Happy writing!
To write something not just nutritious but also delicious to read … something that lingers in our readers’ minds—like the taste of mature cheese or a mushroom risotto or a stir-fried beef with ginger, broccoli, and fish sauce.”
Indeed a mind-opening read. I could feel the words dancing. Welcome back.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Nemo. It feels good to be back 🙂
Thank you for your tips. I love the different pieces of writers’ styles.
Thank you, Ann. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you, Henneke, for your umami article.
I’m glad you found it tasty 🙂
Loved the post, Henneke. I must admit, I’d never heard of umami. So glad the struggle is behind you and you’re back. Take care – Mark
Umami as a concept has existed in Japan for a long time but it seems to be a relative new discovery for the west. Scientists have shown that we have specific taste receptors for umami. I find it fascinating.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Welcome back, Henneke. This is wonderful.
Thank you so much, Rachel. It feels good to be back 🙂
So true.
Writing doesn’t need to be boring.
And who doesn’t love some storytelling, vivid imagery and eye-popping visual conveyed with words.
I guess – it’s the soul which makes boring writing readable. And sometimes rocking.
Yes, so true. Writing with soul is what makes the biggest difference. Thank you, Rohan.
Hi Henneke, Love your point about writing in rhythm, something I lose if I don’t use it often enough. I get stuck in the business writing vs. in a rhythmatic way. I lose my sense of taste and smell along the way 🙁
Thanks for your examples to show us the way to write tastefully in full flavor. Have a great day!
I really think we get influenced by what we read. When you read only business writing, then it’s easy to lose your sense of rhythm.
Happy writing, Lisa, and thank you for stopping by again. 🙂