Gambling

The Domino Effect in Writing

Domino (also dom*ino and domyno) is a game of skill with black and white squares, or rectangles, that are used to form lines in angular patterns. A domino set contains 28 pieces. Besides being the basis for an entertaining game, dominoes are useful in demonstrating concepts such as gravity, friction, and energy.

A domino effect is a cumulative effect where one event sets off a series of similar or related events. The term is often used metaphorically to describe causal linkages within systems such as global finance or politics. It is sometimes confused with the concept of a cascade, which refers to a series of events that occurs in a more gradual fashion and can be more difficult to predict.

The domino effect is also known as a chain reaction, and it can be described mathematically by a sequence of dominoes falling over each other, starting with the first domino being pushed by a second domino. The physics of the domino effect is that as the first domino hits another, the potential energy of that other domino is converted to kinetic energy and then to thermal and sound energy as it slides across and then impacts the surface.

In the context of writing, the domino effect refers to the concept of using small victories to create dramatic effects in a story. For example, a scene that has your protagonist successfully escape from the clutches of an antagonist or thwart a villain’s plan is a domino action. The impact of that scene will be felt throughout the rest of your story.

Whether you’re a pantser who doesn’t make detailed outlines or a plotter who uses software such as Scrivener to help you plot, there are still many elements that you should consider when creating your novel’s storyline. Keeping in mind the idea of the domino effect, you’ll be less likely to write scenes that don’t add to your plot or are merely filler.

The word “domino” comes from the Latin dominus, meaning lord or master. In the late 18th century, it came to mean a large, hooded cloak with a mask covering the eyes worn at masquerades.