What's Wrong With Urban Fiction? The Top Five Trends in Urban Fiction That Needs to Stop
Plenty.
I can enjoy a great UF book every once in a while but it has gotten to the point where if you've read one, you've read them all.There seem to be recurring themes in quite a few of them. The UF book that doesn't deal with these sterotypical characters will bring a new day in UF and if crafted right, could make a killing with Hollywood beating down their doors. Not to mention agents fighting to sign them to multiple book deals.
Here are a few of the stereotypes that I would like to die a quiet but certain death:
1. The Bad Bitch
There is a bad bitch in every novel. Her skin color runs the gamut from pecan to honey. Her hair is long, past her shoulders due to her Indian heritage. She is no taller than 5'4" and the baddest bitch on the block. Every girl wants to be her while every dude wants to have sex with her. There simply isn't another girl badder than she is in the game.
I can enjoy a great UF book every once in a while but it has gotten to the point where if you've read one, you've read them all.There seem to be recurring themes in quite a few of them. The UF book that doesn't deal with these sterotypical characters will bring a new day in UF and if crafted right, could make a killing with Hollywood beating down their doors. Not to mention agents fighting to sign them to multiple book deals.
Here are a few of the stereotypes that I would like to die a quiet but certain death:
1. The Bad Bitch
There is a bad bitch in every novel. Her skin color runs the gamut from pecan to honey. Her hair is long, past her shoulders due to her Indian heritage. She is no taller than 5'4" and the baddest bitch on the block. Every girl wants to be her while every dude wants to have sex with her. There simply isn't another girl badder than she is in the game.
Really? Why do we stick to the same kind of heroine in our novels? I was guilty of writing like this in my early days. Because I couldn't be the girl that I described, I created her in my fiction. Does it speak to a certain self-hatred in our community? What's hot in the Black community can go from the type of jeans you like to the hue of black skin that you're attracted to. For once I'd like to see the 5'9" dark skinned girl get the guy!
2. A Drug Dealer Named Nino
Does this need any explanation? Obviously it does. Many writers are guilty of writing cookie cutter characters. I am as well. But come on....even though Nino is the perfect name for a drug dealer (no offense to anyone with that name) it's just overdone. Get a baby name book and start there.
3. Label Dropping Fools
Everyone wears Prada, Gucci, Fendi, etc. It sounds like a really bad rap lyric. Everyone is fresh to death wearing the latest in fashions from these designers. The label dropping in Urban Fiction is just atrocious and over used. Boring and no imagination.
2. A Drug Dealer Named Nino
Does this need any explanation? Obviously it does. Many writers are guilty of writing cookie cutter characters. I am as well. But come on....even though Nino is the perfect name for a drug dealer (no offense to anyone with that name) it's just overdone. Get a baby name book and start there.
3. Label Dropping Fools
Everyone wears Prada, Gucci, Fendi, etc. It sounds like a really bad rap lyric. Everyone is fresh to death wearing the latest in fashions from these designers. The label dropping in Urban Fiction is just atrocious and over used. Boring and no imagination.
Of course blacks aren't the only people guilty of this. But it just seems to be a trend in our literature. We base our judgments based on the labels on your clothing. We determine your worth by the purse you carry or the car you drive. Seriously? No wonder so many youths are addicted to a life of crime. They are able to secure the things they want in a rapid fashion. Why go to school and waste all that time trying to earn money when you can have what you want in a matter of days?
4.The N Word
A few of these dropped in an UF book is to be expected but only in dialogue. I was reading a book the other day where the author was using the N word in her exposition!!! Not to sound like a broken record, but if we want people to stop using the word, then we need to stop using this so much in our literature, especially when it's not in the dialogue. The omniscient voice of the narrator should never refer to the characters as N*****s. It's demeaning.
5. No Editing Whatsoever.
Too many Urban Fiction books are written so poorly, they are unreadable. I was recently accused of attacking UF writers and making them look stupid. I had to think about that for a moment. Was that my ultimate goal? Making UF writers look stupid? Of course not and the thought makes me sad. What really makes me sad is that some of these self published books with poor grammar are a reflection on the educational system in this country.
There is nothing wrong with a gaffe here and there (I know my books have a few) but some books are so unreadable it makes you wonder how the author got through life without the ability to construct a sentence. It's embarrassing. Some authors choose to argue over these reviews instead of taking the constructive criticism and working on their novels to make them better.
4.The N Word
A few of these dropped in an UF book is to be expected but only in dialogue. I was reading a book the other day where the author was using the N word in her exposition!!! Not to sound like a broken record, but if we want people to stop using the word, then we need to stop using this so much in our literature, especially when it's not in the dialogue. The omniscient voice of the narrator should never refer to the characters as N*****s. It's demeaning.
5. No Editing Whatsoever.
Too many Urban Fiction books are written so poorly, they are unreadable. I was recently accused of attacking UF writers and making them look stupid. I had to think about that for a moment. Was that my ultimate goal? Making UF writers look stupid? Of course not and the thought makes me sad. What really makes me sad is that some of these self published books with poor grammar are a reflection on the educational system in this country.
There is nothing wrong with a gaffe here and there (I know my books have a few) but some books are so unreadable it makes you wonder how the author got through life without the ability to construct a sentence. It's embarrassing. Some authors choose to argue over these reviews instead of taking the constructive criticism and working on their novels to make them better.
We can do better people. There is simply no excuse. Just like with anything else you take on, learning and perfecting your craft is essential. Don't ever take your readers for granted. Don't feel because you've been told you're a good writer by a few people that it's enough to start writing garbage. You won't last long in this game. Just watch professional singers. Show up late to concerts on the regular, smoking and drinking to ruin your voice, and plain disrespecting your fans will ensure that your next song will flop.
Be true to your fans and they will remain true to you. The same thing applies for writers. We aren't exempt. Keep writing and putting your best foot forward and your fans will propel you to heights that you've always dreamed about. They keep food on your table and clothes on your back...IF you're lucky to do this for a living!
Until you reach that level, strive for the best always. Success will follow.
