How to write in Power Break Style. 

By Jens Richard

The purpose of the style is to tell a story, while it happens. 

This style is inspired by how we communicate via chat and text messages in real life. 

Long descriptions of environment and worldbuilding can’t happen at the same time as an action or a debate is unfolding. 

Imagine your best friend is on the phone with you all the time, telling you what is happening. 

Your friend will not tell you what their attacker looks like in front of them, in 15 pages, but only with a single line or two.

They will not have the time to tell you.

This style only tells what truly matters and keeps the reader engaged and on the edge of the chair, all the time. 

This is not about cutting corners or being lazy, this is about telling a story, from human to human. 

Some people may feel this is too intense and want the traditional long description story.

But for some others.

This is perfect. 

Especially people with a short attention span or difficulty with long texts.

The 3 rules of Power Break:

1 First Point of View.:

Everything is told only through the eyes of one character at a time.

2 Present tense:

Only write what happens now, as it happens. 

Make a new line. 

To make a point. 

3 Slang:

Don’t dwell in 100% correct grammar in dialogues. 

Write it as your character will say it. 

No need to repeatedly tell who says what, if the dialogue is genuine and fluent, the reader will know. 

Let the emotions and actions speak for themselves.

Example of a scene description:

I close my eyes.

I listen.

I hear them.

I open my eyes and activate the Powerblade on my back.

Three men come out of the alley. 

I'm not the one who shoots first and asks questions later. I will give them a fair chance.

They see me now. 

Their laughter stops, they should run, but they are high on adrenaline and want to fight. 

The young man is still hiding. 

He's locked in fear.

I show my badge to the men, but they seem not to care.

Example of a dialogue scene:

"Dad?"

"DAD!"

I wake up on my couch. I fell asleep in my wet clothes.

"Dad, wake up!"

"What, Sally?"

"The city needs you!"

I feel sick. I do not have the energy to deal with anything. I ignore her.

"Look, Dad! There is a robbery ongoing. They have taken hostages, and the police have surrounded the bank."

She shows me her phone.

I look at my phone. Nine missed calls. 

I sit up and get a new headache.

Sally gives me a glass of milk.

My phone rings again. 

It's the fucking Mayor. 

I decline the call with an auto text. "On my way."

In short, the Power Break Style can be described as follows: 

“It's a literary style that cuts to the chase, leaving no room for filler or fluff.

The Power Break style embraces your imagination and leaves everything between the lines. 

For you to discover.”

And it is not easy.

A true challenge for a real storyteller. 

Have fun, breaking the lines and pushing the action forth.