How to Write Urban Fiction Novels Like a Seasoned Writer

 

Urban fiction, otherwise known as ‘street lit’ and by other names, portrays the nitty-gritty details of the harsh realities of inner-city life. It contains the social and economic realities of themes such as poverty, crime, fast romance, and violence.

Seasoned writers of this diverse genre mostly write based on their own experiences. That’s why you’ll see many things in it that are so close to the truth even with the moniker of fiction to it. These steps to writing as one can help.

Focus on Authentic Ideas and Themes

Urban fiction is categorized as such for its authentic ideas and themes, even if it’s fiction. As a seasoned writer, take ideas from actual events for a similar feel to your book. This can be something that happened to you, your friend, or even what you saw on the news.

Elements of love, sex, jealousy, and betrayal are universally loved and make for compelling storytelling. But there’s a fine line between storytelling and straight-up making stuff up that’s unrealistic. If you want the latter, write a fantasy novel instead.

The Pace and Action

Urban fiction is fast-paced yet well-plotted. You’ll want to show internal conflicts in line with external struggles that can generate further conflict. Create a balance between protagonists, antagonists, and victims. You can use the media res technique and start with flashbacks or combine short narration and action. Remember, don’t overwrite one thing, as it’ll ruin your pacing.

Descriptive Details to Appeal to the Senses

You shouldn’t overwrite, but your details should be explicit and descriptive enough that it appeals to the senses. A good urban fiction book gives a similar experience to a cinematic masterpiece. Use in-your-face dialogue. Incorporate the language of street corners, drug labs, etc.

Be Careful of the Tone and Characters

In urban fiction, the tone is like cinema noir. Just look at The Coldest Winter Ever by Sista Souljah. It chronicles the life and hustle of the rapper-activist who once had to sell drugs and steal clothes to survive. It’s an urban fiction masterpiece and is often used as a base to describe what urban fiction should be like.

Urban novels have multiple protagonists and even secondary characters that get their moment to shine. Even female characters aren’t just extras to be cast aside when they aren’t important to the story.

To create works of urban fiction like a seasoned writer, you’ll want to keep a tone that matches the theme of your story. You can’t talk about murder and violence in a comedic way and downplay it. Your characters should also be depicted in a way that shows their humanity, the good and the ugly side.

Take Inspiration from Contemporary Urban Fiction

There are great works from authors like Sister Souljah or Omar Tyree, but to connect with your readers, take inspiration from contemporary urban fiction. Check out Never Imagined by Charlie Mon, which resonates with African American readers for its cold yet endearing descriptions.

Purchase your copy, get inspired, and start writing your own!