Using Dominoes to Improve Your Writing
A domino is a tile that is part of a gaming device similar to dice or playing cards. It has a line down the middle to divide it visually into two squares. Each side has a number of spots or pips, which are typically inlaid on the tile to determine its value. A domino may also be blank or a different color, and it can have a variety of shapes. Dominoes are used for games of chance and skill. They can also be used to help teach children counting and math skills.
Unlike other toys that require a lot of force to topple, Domino’s are designed so that a small amount of energy is sufficient to set them in motion. A tiny nudge is all it takes to set them in motion, which is why they are so exciting to watch.
The same principle applies to plotting a story. Whether you are a pantser who writes off the cuff or use a tool like Scrivener to organize your writing process, it’s important to consider how each scene will impact the one that comes before it, just as it would be in a domino effect. For example, if the first scene of your novel introduces the heroine’s goal but the next scene doesn’t raise tension or further the mystery, there is something wrong with your plotting strategy.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when writing a novel. But keeping a simple image in mind can help keep the pace moving forward and keep the plot from stalling out. When you’re struggling to write a scene that will make your book better, think of a domino effect. A single domino action has the power to set off a chain reaction of scenes that will improve your book.
Hevesh, the 20-year-old artist who created the mind-blowing domino setup shown in this video, uses a version of the engineering-design process to create her amazing installations. She starts by considering the theme or purpose of a project, then brainstorms images and words that relate to it. Finally, she creates a prototype to test out the layout and make sure it’s in place before she actually builds the full installation.
Dominoes can be made of many materials, from stone (like marble or soapstone) to other woods, such as ash, oak, and redwood; metals; or even ceramic clay. Most domino sets, however, are made of polymer.
The word “domino” has several meanings, including a type of tile or game, an architectural style, and the etymology of the word is unclear. The most common view is that the name derives from the Latin dominus, or master, but the more likely explanation is that the word was influenced by an earlier French sense of a long hooded cloak worn together with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade. The earliest meaning of the word is obscure, but it has been suggested that it may have denoted a priest’s black domino contrasting with his white surplice.