Domino is a small rectangular wood or plastic block, usually marked with dots that resemble those on dice. The individual dominoes make up a set, typically 28 pieces. Often, they are painted or inlaid with contrasting black and white pips. People use Domino to play games that require strategy, skill and calculation. People also use the dominoes to line them up in rows and then knock them down. The game of domino is a popular pastime for adults and children alike.
Some of the most well-known domino games involve blocking, such as Matador and Mexican train, or scoring, such as bergen or muggins. Some games are very complex, requiring a high level of skill and calculation. Others are adaptations of card games, which were used to circumvent religious restrictions on playing cards. Dominos have even been used to help kids learn math and number recognition.
In the business world, the domino effect is an idea that if one thing occurs, it will trigger a chain reaction that affects other things. Domino’s has been able to capitalize on the domino effect with its pizza delivery and carryout services. In a time where restaurants are struggling to find ways to compete with 3rd party delivery services, Domino’s is proving to be a leader in this space.
Similarly, in novels and other fiction works, the domino effect is a theory of how story events can influence each other. A domino effect is like a chain reaction—once one scene happens, it leads to other scenes that follow it, influencing the outcome of the story. The key to using the domino effect in your writing is to keep your scenes focused and logical, as the dominoes will not cascade properly if they run counter to common sense or logic.
For example, if your hero is about to commit an immoral act (such as shooting a stranger or having an affair), you’ll need to provide readers with the motivation and logic to give this action a pass or at least continue to like them. Otherwise, your reader will lose interest in the book and move on to another.
Aside from pacing, the next key aspect of a successful domino effect is timing. The scenes in your novel must be appropriately spaced to advance the plot and make it feel logical, but they should not be too long or too short. Longer scenes can bore or frustrate the reader, while shorter scenes might not be enough to explain the depth of your hero’s discovery or major plot point.
While the Domino’s delivery and takeout business model has been a huge success, it is not without its risks. The company faces competition from 3rd party delivery services and could face the risk of oversaturation in some markets, where too many Domino’s locations would lead to lower customer service and profits. However, based on their history of success, they are likely to be able to weather this storm.