The Domino Effect
Domino is a game, but it’s also a metaphor for the way in which small events can have large impacts. When you build a chain of dominoes, it takes just one tiny nudge to knock over the whole lot. The same is true of a story. The right plot beat can have a domino effect, affecting characters, scenes and even the entire story.
As a game, domino can be played by two or more people using a set of 28 small oblong pieces marked with dots, or “pips,” like those on a die. Each domino has a unique identity, and is divided into two parts by a line or ridge. Each part is marked with the same arrangement of pips (though some dominoes are blank). Dominoes are often used to play games that mimic the action of dice or cards, but they can also be used to create intricate patterns and structures.
Most domino sets are arranged into suits, or groups of tiles that share a common numbering scheme. The most popular set is the double six, with 28 tiles. Larger sets are available, and some players may prefer to use them for longer games or to construct complex structures. The main types of domino play are blocking and scoring games.
The word “domino” comes from the Italian dominus, meaning “lord.” It’s also derived from the Latin verb dominare, to dominate. The most common use of the word is to refer to a chain reaction — as in the classic game of dominoes — but it can also mean any sequence of events that results in something falling or becoming overturned, like a car crash or a trip to the zoo.
Hevesh is a domino artist who builds spectacular displays with thousands of individual dominoes. She has a YouTube channel, and her creations have been featured in television shows and movies. Some of her installations can take several nail-biting minutes to complete. Dominoes are unmoving because of their inertia, but a small nudge can push them past their tipping point and trigger a domino effect.
When Hevesh isn’t creating her masterpieces, she teaches others how to do it. She says her biggest lesson has been the importance of timing. She explains that you can’t rush the process, and that the right beats must be placed in the right order. In domino constructions, and in stories, time is everything.
Just as it’s important to understand the impact of a single domino in an entire chain, it’s equally critical for writers to know how to pace their scenes. A scene must advance the story and bring the hero closer to or farther from their goal, but it shouldn’t be so long that readers lose interest. Similarly, a plot beat must be in the right place at the right time to have the desired effect. Like dominoes in a line, the best scenes are well-timed and balanced.