The Domino Effect in Writing a Novel

Domino, from Latin dominium, is a set of 28 small oblong pieces (usually marked with 0-6 pips in each half) that are used to play a variety of games. Each player puts a domino edge to edge against another, trying to match the pips of adjacent pieces or form a total number of points.

Whether they’re lined up in a row or used to make shapes, dominoes are mesmerizing to watch. One tiny nudge causes the entire line to fall. But before a single domino falls, it has potential energy that can be converted to kinetic energy to push on the next piece. And the energy continues to travel from domino to domino until it all crashes down.

Hevesh is a master of creating mind-blowing domino setups. When she starts a new setup, she first considers what her theme or purpose might be. Then, she brainstorms ideas and images she might want to use. Once she’s settled on an idea, she follows a version of the engineering design process. This involves thinking about the problem, defining objectives, and designing a solution.

While it may be difficult to replicate Hevesh’s exact setup, all writers can learn from her approach. In order to create a powerful story, each scene must connect to the one that comes before it. This connection is often called the “domino effect” because if a scene does not follow logically from the previous one, it can collapse like a stack of dominoes.

As you work on your own novel, keep in mind the Domino Effect. Each scene should advance the plot in some way and, when combined with the other scenes, create a compelling story. If you find that a scene does not connect logically with the ones before or after it, it might be time to rewrite it.

Despite its unfortunate circumstances, the COVID-19 pandemic presented Domino’s with an opportunity. Customers who had previously dined in were now seeking takeout and delivery options.

To capitalize on this trend, Domino’s invested in technology that allows customers to place orders through the company’s app or directly via twitter, or even by texting an emoji. They also worked with crowd-sourced car designers to develop a pizza-delivery vehicle that they’ve nicknamed a “cheese lover’s Batmobile.”

The company’s focus on innovation has helped them continue to grow, even in the wake of declining sales. Their recent announcement that they will integrate with Apple’s in-car system to allow customers to order pizza through their dashboard is a great example of how they’re staying ahead of the curve.