Urban Fiction. It’s a genre that pulsates with raw energy, undeniable truths, and a distinct voice. It brings to life vibrant communities, complex struggles, and the resilient spirit of its characters. But like any powerful tool, it can be misused. To truly shine and captivate readers, authors in this space need to sidestep some common pitfalls. Here are the top 5 mistakes Urban Fiction authors should strive to avoid:
1. The “Mirror, Mirror” Opening: Too Much Physical Detail, Too Soon
We get it, you’ve meticulously crafted your characters in your mind. But opening your novel with a paragraph-long description of their hair color, eye shape, and the cut of their jeans is a surefire way to lose a reader before the story even begins. Instead of telling us what they look like, show us who they are through their actions, their dialogue, and their immediate surroundings. A quick, impactful detail or two is fine, but let your characters’ personalities unfold naturally, bringing their physical presence to life in the reader’s imagination rather than dictating it.
2. Violence for Violence’s Sake: More Than Just Mayhem
Urban fiction often deals with harsh realities, and violence can be a legitimate part of that narrative. However, when every chapter devolves into gratuitous fights, shootouts, or other forms of brutality without serving a deeper purpose, it quickly becomes repetitive and loses its impact. Violence should be a consequence, a catalyst, or a reflection of the character’s journey, not just a filler. Consider the emotional toll, the aftermath, and the motivations behind such acts to give them weight and meaning within your story.
3. Paper-Thin Personalities: The Need for In-Depth Characters
The heart of any compelling story lies in its characters. In urban fiction, where stakes are often high and choices are difficult, readers crave characters they can truly connect with. Avoid creating archetypes or stereotypes that lack nuance. Give your characters backstories, internal conflicts, dreams, fears, and contradictory impulses. Let them make mistakes, learn lessons, and evolve. When your characters feel real and multidimensional, readers will invest in their struggles and triumphs, making your narrative infinitely more powerful.
4. The Shade of It All: Avoiding Colorism Among Black Characters
This is a crucial point within the urban fiction landscape. Unfortunately, colorism – prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a darker skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group – can sometimes creep into narratives. Whether it’s portraying lighter-skinned characters as inherently more desirable, intelligent, or successful, or perpetuating negative stereotypes about darker-skinned characters, this practice is harmful and perpetuates damaging biases. Strive for diverse and authentic representations of Black characters across the full spectrum of skin tones, celebrating their unique beauty and experiences without internalizing or reinforcing colorist tropes.
5. Grammar Gremlins & Punctuation Pandemonium (Outside of Dialogue)
While authentic dialogue often incorporates slang, regionalisms, and a more relaxed grammatical structure, the narrative prose of your novel should be polished and professional. Sloppy grammar, misspelled words, and inconsistent punctuation outside of character dialogue can yank a reader out of the story faster than anything. It signals a lack of care and can undermine the credibility of your entire work. Invest time in proofreading, consider using editing software, or even hire a professional editor. A well-written story, even with a gritty subject matter, deserves to be presented with clarity and precision.
By consciously avoiding these common pitfalls, urban fiction authors can elevate their craft, create more resonant and impactful stories, and truly connect with their audience on a deeper level. These critical elements enhance the reader’s immersion and understanding of the narrative’s complexities.
One of the things I felt you had a point on was grammar. Urban Literature is written in AAE which has its own grammatical rules. Zora Neal Hurston has written about how difficult it is to transcribe AAE, an oral based language, so having a copyeditor who speaks AAE and can help the author better transcribe the language onto the page would be a great thing. In my opinion, I think you would serve better as a developmental editor for urban lit, to make sure the story structure is in tact, but I don't think you should speak too much on grammar.
This lady….look I wanna I say this I write from my personal experience from growing up in the hood. And participating in the madness as well. I feel like this, people can speak on urban fiction if, like I explained from personal experience and also if they lived in the environment. I can’t take her serious because from the sounds of it. She has neither. In my book the antagonist doesn’t do anything the 30 pages. WTH! lol people. Write how you feel and what you see not, what u think you know. Have a nice day
I was skeptical because of you being white and not knowing you were an editor. Your advice is much appreciated! You touched on things that bother me with urban fiction authors. As an author, thank you! Urban fiction should still meet standards of a well written book.
👍👍👍👍😎
A white woman telling black writers HOW to write urban fiction.😅
The first mistake in urban writing is, how White Corporate literary world define too many Black authors' writings as "Urban".
The genre, "Urban" is such a racist term. This video highlights a further myopic purview of the stereotyped 'genre'. It must be noted, "The Godfather Series", which carry all of the stereotypical tropes that are defined as "Urban" writing, is considered a "crime novel series".
Although we can trace Black published authors back to Phyllis Wheatley in the 1700s, and even earlier to our African ancestors, where storytelling is Millennials old, Black authors struggle to find our niche as legitimate Writers & Authors, although Toni Morrison was a few American female authors and the last American Author to win the Nobel laureate in literature.
😂😂 when you said don't nobody like a ugly gangster, I was sold 😂
This was not what I thought this was gonna be lol. This was actually great advice and spot on .
YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU TALKING ABOUT WHEN YOU SPEAK ABOUT URBAN FICTION.
I enjoy this review and I will take it into consideration with my own novels as. I write it.
I have to say I couldn't stop laughing 😆 I totally agree. This was my writing style as a 13-14 year old kid, I no longer read urban fiction. The writing is usually just horrible and does not hold my attention as an adult. I'm struggling with finishing a few novella's.
WOOOW. This was unexpectedly GOOD and RESOURCEFUL. Thank you!
It’s always a gangster who takes no shit, he wears overly expensive clothing, drives nice cars and has all the hoes chasing him EXCEPT he has eyes for this one light skinned girl who was in college and had no business dealing with him BUT YET they come together through pure love.
As an urban author, I strive to humanize the often demonize, so yes, I agree about making the reader care about the villain. And intra-racism is factor in older generations, even in families. Times are changing and attitudes are in tow concerning colorism.
i love this but both of those novels are urban fiction
Bottom line…..There is no wrong way to write a book. You just write it.. If it feels right then keep going, if not then make adjustments however you see fit. Everybody is different!!!! What works for you may not work for me….
One day, I hope to see your review on my book and upcoming books!
Interesting. While the points in this video are valid from an author/editor pov, it’s a little ‘problematic’. I’ve learned, just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. The messenger does matter as there are cultural nuances that aren’t considered.
Urban lit has expanded since it started. It now has sub categories and genres and under urban, you can find ‘street lit’ which essentially does everything you say shouldn’t be done. But that is exactly why lovers of those books read them, the over descriptions, the pile of non stop drama, the excessive slang. The moment you start stripping the book of those characteristics, it becomes something else. The entire video suggests that books written in that ‘street lit style’ are not written well. But to who? Not to the readers that devour them and devour them only. They consider those books literally gold.
And a book is still considered urban to us if it features urban city life, AA people and slang/AAVE at any level, even if written “grammatically correct,” for the most part. It feels like an attempt to separate what the gatekeepers consider good vs. bad fiction…according to white people.
I think you’d win more bees if the angle was different coming from your particular POV like ‘5 Characteristics of Great Urban Fiction Books.’ Your perspective as an editor would be much more appreciated then.
First off just want to say you're BEAUTIFUL… Love everything you point out. My book is coming soon. Thanks for all the advice 😊
Is this woman crazy?
How is she going to speak on a genre, Urban, that has sold successfully? I really don't like to use the word Urban to be honest with you. I don't think there's a such thing as Urban fiction. I believe it's just people speaking on their perspective of life and what they've gone through and seen. And they're speaking from understanding of the people who they are writing for. These so-called urban books, are not about white people. These so-called urban books are about individuals who speak differently. Value certain things, be they right or wrong. And who just see things differently culturally. I myself, as a black man, really don't like these books, and I have lived that life to some degree, or another that they are writing about.
I think these authors who write these books are writing to people that they understand, and that understands them. Just look at it for what it is. Black people don't speak the same way white people speak. So I think these urban books, so-called Urban books, are not really written for white people. So I think this is where she comes up with these mistakes that these writers are making. But in all actuality black people enjoy. But this is her s**, and she can tell her s** the way she likes. 🤣🤣🤣
Agreed…🤝🏾🤝🏾
As a Black person, this is all true. This is why I can’t get into the stories, but if someone wants to read great Black fiction, not urban, I recommend Envy, by Victoria Christopher Murray (or any of her most recent books. The tension she builds throughout her books is amazing