We all know about the classic game of domino, in which a single domino is tipped ever so slightly to initiate a chain reaction that causes every other one to fall. This is the basis of the “domino effect,” a term that describes any action that has an impact bigger than its initial cause. This is a big idea that can apply to many areas of life. It’s why I encourage my clients to think of each scene in their book (and in their lives) as a domino.
Dominoes are individual tiles, typically rectangles with black and white markings, that are arranged end to end in long lines. They are also known as bones, cards, or tiles and may be used for games of chance or for constructing elaborate, decorative displays. Most sets contain 28 pieces called “dominoes” although larger sets may include more than this number. The most common material for dominoes is plastic but some are made of bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, or a dark hardwood such as ebony with contrasting black or white dots.
There are many different kinds of domino games, some simple and others complex. The most basic game involves a pair of players and requires at least a double-six set. The 28 tiles are shuffled and a player draws seven. The first player then places the uncovered ends of his or her tiles next to those of the opponent, matching any numbers on their exposed faces. When a player has an entire row of matching numbers, the row is played and that player scores points.
Other games involve blocking, scoring, or trick-taking. Some of these games are adaptations of card or board game rules. Unlike most domino games, which use the same set of 28 tiles for all purposes, some variants require additional tiles from the boneyard.
One of the more fascinating kinds of domino games is the construction of intricate domino displays. These can be used to make statements or to tell a story, and they can be extremely beautiful.
The artist Hevesh, whose YouTube channel has more than 2 million subscribers, is perhaps the best-known domino artist. Her domino projects have even been featured in movies and TV shows. She has worked on team projects with hundreds of thousands of dominoes and helped set a Guinness World Record for the largest circular domino display.
Hevesh tests each section of a domino display before putting it together. This allows her to correct any errors before it’s too late. For example, if the larger 3-D sections don’t work out, she can adjust them to solve the problem.
The same kind of thinking can be applied to writing. Each scene is like a domino, and the effect of each scene is much greater than its initial contribution. This is why it’s important to consider the entire effect of each scene in your book before you start typing.
