We’ve all seen those satisfying videos of a long chain of dominoes that, after tipping the first one ever so slightly, falls in a beautiful cascade of rhythmic motion. The word domino means any action that causes another to follow suit, and this concept plays a key role in the way novels (and writing in general) are constructed. Whether you’re writing off the cuff or carefully plotting each scene, thinking about the Domino Effect can help you craft a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
A domino is a small, flat rectangular block of wood or other material that’s used as a gaming object. There are many games that can be played with a domino set, and the pieces can be arranged in a variety of ways: in straight lines, curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, or even 3D structures like towers or pyramids.
The most common domino sets contain 28 tiles, although larger ones exist for players looking to play games that require longer chains of dominoes. Each domino features a number on one face and a blank or striped face on the other, and the numbers correspond to suits of dominoes: each suit contains all of the dominoes that have the same numbers on their pips. The most popular type of domino game involves laying down dominoes in rows or angular patterns and then knocking them over with a finger. In some games, the goal is to complete a row of dominoes without any spaces left.
In addition to being a fun activity, dominoes can also teach us a lot about how to create good relationships and how to handle difficult situations. The lesson that’s most important to take away is that a single setback can have a profound impact on your life, just as a domino can trip up an entire pile of legal and social consequences.
For example, the death of a high-profile celebrity could affect everything from ratings for a television show to the number of candidates running for office. These consequences may not be immediately apparent, but they will have repercussions for years to come.
Another way that the Domino Effect can play out in our lives is when we get involved in a situation and let it spiral out of control. For example, a minor dispute at work can turn into a full-blown conflict that affects not only the people involved but their families and coworkers as well.
Domino’s began in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1967, and grew rapidly by focusing on the needs of its customers. The company listened to what its customers had to say, and it responded quickly to any complaints. In this way, Domino’s kept its commitment to the “Champion Our Customers” value and stayed in line with its core values. The result was a company that continued to grow, and today Domino’s is the largest pizza restaurant in the world.