Domino, a small rectangular block with two groups of spots on one side, is used as a game piece and in a variety of games. Dominoes can be arranged to form lines and shapes or stacked to build structures such as castles and houses. In addition to their use as a fun toy, dominoes are useful tools for learning how a simple system can affect all the parts of it.
The game of domino is a favorite among children and adults alike. The small, square-shaped tiles are easy to grip and can be positioned to create endless shapes and patterns. A single domino can cause a chain reaction that spreads out in all directions.
For example, if a person sets up a line of dominoes in a curved shape and then flicks the first one, the rest will follow suit in a snake-like pattern. Dominoes can also be arranged in grids to form pictures, stacked walls, or even 3D structures such as pyramids.
When a person creates such an intricate domino setup, it’s important that all of the individual pieces fit together perfectly. Hevesh, a professional domino artist who has worked on projects for TV shows and movies, says that one physical phenomenon is essential to her creations: gravity. Gravity pulls a knocked-over domino toward the ground, causing it to hit and crash into the next domino and then another until the entire setup falls according to its laws.
The same principle applies to a novel. Whether you write off the cuff or use an outline program like Scrivener, a well-planned plot is necessary to ensure that all the scenes are at the right angle and have enough logical impact on the scene before them. If you don’t consider this, you may end up with a scene that doesn’t add to the story or that is too repetitive.
Using the domino effect in fiction is an excellent way to keep a reader’s attention and keep the story moving forward. This technique works best in genres that rely on a lot of reaction from the characters, such as mystery and suspense. For example, if you want to raise the stakes in your thriller, you might create a series of scenes that lead up to an immoral act by your hero, such as a robbery or murder. In this scenario, you’ll need to provide enough logic for readers to forgive the protagonist for going against societal norms. Ultimately, the domino effect allows your readers to understand how these immoral acts can lead to such devastating consequences. This will make your story more believable and engaging for readers.