If you’ve watched a domino rally, you know that every single tile in the chain has to fall before the next one can be played. There aren’t any exceptions. Whether the next domino is a double or a simple single, it has to be played so that the two matching ends touch each other fully (with or without an open space between them). Then the next domino must be played so that its own matching ends touch with the end of the first domino. The pattern continues until all the tiles are accounted for and there is a final line of dominoes with a first domino and a last domino.
This domino principle applies to many things in life, including writing novels. Whether you plot your manuscript on an outline or write off the cuff, a story must eventually come down to one question: What happens next? And answering this question in a way that is compelling enough to keep readers engaged is the key to success. To do that, you have to build momentum—and to do that, you need a domino effect.
A domino is a set of rectangular wooden or plastic domino pieces that can be used to play a variety of games. The word comes from the Latin domino, which means “I have won.” A domino has potential energy, but it resists motion unless pushed. When the first domino falls, however, much of its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, or energy of motion. This energy then passes to the next domino, providing the push it needs to fall. And that push travels to the rest of the dominoes, causing them to fall in turn.
Domino’s is a great example of a company that understood this concept. After the company suffered from a series of scandals, David Brandon, who was CEO at the time, made it a priority to listen to employees and address their concerns. He changed the dress code, offered more flexible work schedules, and created a system for employees to submit feedback. When Doug Doyle took over, he continued this emphasis on employee engagement and remained true to the company’s core values.
When Hevesh creates her mind-blowing domino installations, she follows a version of the engineering-design process. She considers the theme or purpose of the installation, brainstorms images or words, and then plans out how to arrange the dominoes. These arrangements may include grids that form pictures or walls, or 3-D structures like towers or pyramids.
Once the tiles are arranged, it is time to begin playing. The rules for each game determine who will make the first play. Generally, the player who draws the highest number of tiles in his hand makes the first play. If there is a tie, the tie is broken by drawing new tiles from the stock according to the rules of that particular game. In some games, players can buy tiles from the stock, or pass and bye them, as permitted by that game’s rules.