Domino is an exciting game for kids, but it can also be a useful tool for writers. Domino effects help readers understand the logic of a scene or story, and understanding how to use domino in fiction will make your work more compelling and believable.
A domino is a flat, thumb-sized rectangular block with either one or two sides bearing from one to six pips or spots. It has a line in the middle to visually separate its ends and is typically twice as long as it is wide. A domino may be used to create complex lines, curved lines, grids that form pictures, and 3D structures like towers and pyramids. A domino is normally stacked on end to form long lines, and when the first domino in the line is tipped over, it will cause the rest of the dominos to tip as well, creating a chain reaction known as the domino effect.
The process of writing a novel can be much like building a domino rally, as the storyline is constructed one scene at a time. Whether the author is composing an off-the-cuff manuscript or taking the time to craft an outline, every scene should work together to build a larger picture. This is why it’s important to consider how each scene connects to the next. Using the domino effect in your fiction will ensure that each scene is connected to the next in a way that makes sense for readers and keeps them engaged.
If a writer has a strong and clear beginning, it is easy to see how the story will progress through to its conclusion. However, if the opening is weak, it can be difficult for the reader to follow the story and will probably end up tuning out or skipping parts. The opening is the starting point of the domino effect, and it is essential to spend time ensuring that it is strong enough to hold the reader’s attention.
In a business setting, domino is the term for an action that has a much greater impact than expected. A good example can be seen on the popular TV show Undercover Boss, where CEO Don Meij goes undercover at a busy Domino’s restaurant to evaluate employees and customers. He quickly implements a number of changes including a relaxed dress code and new leadership training programs, and the company quickly improves.
Similarly, when an author starts a character off on an unintentionally dramatic or shocking path, it is easy for the reader to lose interest unless the author has a way of keeping the story compelling and exciting. By using a domino effect, the author can build suspense for the story by showing the reader the logical consequences of each event.
While some writers will find it easiest to plan their novels out in a traditional manner, others will choose to compose the narrative in an organic fashion and allow each scene to come to them naturally as they write. Regardless of the method, writing with the mindset of building a domino rally will result in an engaging and compelling story that will keep readers coming back for more.
