Domino is a small, flat, rectangular block used as gaming object. Variously known as bones, pieces, men, stones or cards, dominoes are used to play several different games, both casual and competitive, often testing strategy and patience. While a player can place just one domino down, the goal is to build a complete line of dominoes that will lead to winning the game. Dominoes can be set up on the table in various ways, and each domino is marked with a number of spots (called pips) that indicate its value. Typically, each player takes turns placing dominoes on the table and then playing them so that the open ends of the domino match up with the number of pips on the adjacent ones. The total of the pips on both the open and closed ends determines whether a player scores points.
Dominoes are sometimes used as a learning tool, allowing students to see how a simple chain reaction can cause much larger effects in the world around them. These lessons can be applied to real-life situations and are a great way for children to learn about the interconnectedness of things.
The word domino is related to the Latin verb domina, which means “to dominate.” It also has a second meaning: to establish or confirm something. The phrase is often used in the context of business or leadership. It suggests that a person has the power to influence others, but it can also be used to describe a domino effect, in which a single event causes many other events to occur.
Writing a novel requires a lot of planning, but even if you are a pantser—that is, you don’t use an outline or Scrivener to plan out the structure of your manuscript—you still have to think about what will happen in each scene and how it will impact the scene ahead of it. Using the Domino Effect as your guide can help you make sure that all the scenes in your novel fit together in an order that makes sense to your readers.
A good way to do this is to write out a domino chart, which is similar to a flowchart but focuses on the order of action and reaction in each scene. You can use this chart to weed out any scenes that don’t move the story forward in any way, or to help you fill in gaps in your plotting.
The Domino Effect isn’t just about things knocking each other over; it can also affect how we see ourselves. For example, if you start making your bed each day, it will have a domino effect in your life by shifting the ways you think about yourself and how you act. This shift may be more subtle than you realize, but it can have a profound impact on your long-term success and happiness. Whether it’s your career, relationships or physical health, the Domino Effect can help you get where you want to be.