When a single domino is knocked over, it causes a chain reaction that builds momentum and eventually topples even larger dominoes. Whether in a board game or as a metaphor, the idea of domino is a powerful one that can be applied to many different aspects of life. The domino concept presents the importance of finding one activity that can push other interests forward. Often, this means picking the one task that will have the greatest impact on your day and dedicating all of your energy to completing it before you move on to another. The result is that this “main domino” will have the power to “knock over” much larger tasks, allowing you to achieve more in less time.
A domino is a rectangular block with an inlaid pattern of black or white dots, called pips, on both sides. The pips are typically arranged in a series of parallel lines, but they may be scattered or diagonal. A domino is typically twice as long as it is wide, making it easy to re-stack when not in use.
Dominoes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be stacked to form 3-D structures such as towers or pyramids. There are also a variety of games that can be played with them, including simple line-ups and complex strategic maneuvering. In addition to being a fun way to pass the time, dominoes can help teach children about math and spatial relations.
The word domino comes from the Latin for “flip” or “flip,” referring to how a domino is placed on a board and then flipped over to begin a sequence of actions. The game itself originated in the mid-18th century in Italy and France and was introduced into England by French prisoners toward the end of that period.
Regardless of how you plan to plot your novel—whether it’s off the cuff or through a careful outline—one of the most important things you can do is consider the effect of each scene on the next. This will help you ensure that the story flows in a logical manner that engages readers and keeps them turning pages.
For example, if you are writing a story where the hero does something immoral, such as shooting a stranger, you will need to make sure that there is enough logic in the scene for readers to forgive this and allow the domino effect to continue. Otherwise, readers will be able to see the logic in why their hero is acting outside of societal norms and turn away from your novel.
Lily Hevesh began collecting and playing with dominoes when she was 9. She has since become a professional domino artist, setting up incredibly complicated domino setups in straight or curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, or even 3-D structures such as towers and pyramids. Hevesh calculates how many dominoes of each color she’ll need to create her designs and uses a computer program to help her count them.