The Domino Effect in Fiction

Domino (also known as dominoes, bones, cards, or men) are rectangular blocks of wood, bone, ceramic, plastic, or other material, with one or more sides marked by dots or other symbols. Each side of a domino is called an end and may have a value from six to blank; the sum of the values on all the ends is referred to as the rank or weight. Most domino sets are double-sided, with one or more of the ends numbered in Arabic numerals. A domino is normally twice as long as it is wide, which makes it easier to re-stack after use.

The word “domino” is derived from the Latin term dominium, meaning “heap.” The first recorded use of the name was in 1750 in reference to a long, hooded cloak worn with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade ball. Later, the word was used in reference to a game of dominoes, and later still, as an adjective to refer to a particular set of rules governing the play.

A person who specializes in building domino structures is called a “domino artist.” Hevesh, whose YouTube channel has more than 2 million subscribers, is considered one of the world’s most talented artists in this field. She creates spectacular domino setups for movies, TV shows, and events—including a record-setting album launch by pop star Katy Perry. Her largest domino installations take several nail-biting minutes to fall. Hevesh has also been featured on numerous TED Talks and has received many awards for her work.

In fiction, the domino effect describes the way in which scenes of a story interact and impact each other. Whether you’re a pantser who composes your manuscript off the cuff or a plotter who takes your time with an outline, a good understanding of the domino effect can help you write more compelling novels.

For example, if your heroine uncovers an important clue but the scene that follows doesn’t build the tension or make the reader care about what happens next, something’s wrong. The clue could be at the wrong angle, or it might have no logical impact on the scene ahead of it. Considering the domino effect can help you correct these issues and strengthen your novel.

Another example of the domino effect is the relationship between leadership and management. While the skills required for each are similar, they are not the same. Leadership requires an ability to stand out, whereas management is more focused on process and compliance.

In comics, the mutant Domino has fought against supervillains including Deadpool and Copycat. She’s served on the Hong Kong branch of X-Corporation and has partnered with Cable to oppose the clandestine Weapon X program. She’s also worked for the mercenary company Six Pack and defended the home of mutant founder Nathan Summers. She’s even been impersonated by the time-traveling mutant Gryaznova.