How Dominoes Can Help Writers Structure Their Scenes
We’ve all seen those beautiful domino constructions where, by just tipping one piece ever-so-slightly, the rest fall in a cascade of rhythmic motion. We even use the word “domino effect” to describe actions that enlarge an event or change its direction. If you’re a writer who doesn’t outline your plot in advance, or if you’re not quite sure how to organize your writing process, the idea of the domino can be an effective way to help you structure your book. Think of each scene as a single domino, and the effect as the chains that follow each other, falling as they are pushed by each new event.
Dominoes are rectangular tiles with a line engraved across the face, or a printed design of dots, that can be placed edge to edge to form a long row of gaming pieces. Most domino games involve the use of multiple sets of tiles. Each set is usually arranged so that each domino has an identifiable marking on one side and is blank or identically patterned on the other.
The first recorded use of the term domino appeared in the mid-18th century, though there is evidence that the game existed in ancient Egypt and China. Today, dominoes are most commonly used in positional games, where a player places a domino edge to edge against another in order to make them all fall in some specified pattern. Then, other players place additional dominoes on top of the existing ones. The goal is to be the last person to have all of their dominoes in place, resulting in a completed line of all matching numbers or patterns.
In addition to the obvious physical benefits of domino, these games provide valuable learning opportunities for children. Because the core game builds on numeric patterns, it helps develop important math skills and strategy. Also, building up the large domino rallies teaches children about patience and precision.
Regardless of how many people are playing, domino has been known to inspire some pretty impressive displays. The YouTube star Hevesh, for instance, has created mind-blowing domino setups with hundreds of thousands of pieces. Some of her largest installations take several nail-biting minutes to complete. She follows a similar engineering-design process when she creates these intricate displays, and she shares her process in this video.
When it comes to business, the Domino Effect can be both a blessing and a curse. The positive part is that it allows you to make changes quickly. However, the negative aspect is that one bad thing can lead to more than you bargained for. When you get feedback from customers, it’s important to listen carefully. After all, your company’s reputation is on the line.
Domino’s CEO, Patrick Doyle, has emphasized this value by focusing on the importance of listening to his employees. He has even encouraged them to speak out, and he’s implemented a number of changes to encourage this kind of feedback. This includes a relaxed dress code and revamped leadership training programs.
