Domino is a game of skill and strategy. It is played by two or more players, with a double-six set of dominoes, each with 28 tiles that are shuffled face down to form the stock, or boneyard. The dominoes are then drawn from the boneyard to create a line of dominoes, with each player drawing one tile at a time and placing it on-edge (facing the line) in front of them. The players then attempt to empty their hands by knocking over dominoes with matching numbers of pips, and scoring points by blocking the opponent’s play.
In addition to demonstrating the power of the domino effect, Domino also teaches us how to be a successful leader. As the leader of a company, you may need to make a lot of decisions, and each decision you make has a domino effect. In order to ensure your decisions have the greatest impact, it is important that you take the time to rank each task, and then work on the most important first. By completing the most important tasks first, you can create momentum for future success.
This same principle can be applied to a personal life. By ranking your tasks, you can focus on what matters most and avoid getting tangled up in the minutiae of the day to day activities. For example, if you have three important tasks for the day, start by focusing on the most difficult one first. Then, once you have mastered that task, the rest of your day will fall into place.
The word “domino” is derived from Latin, meaning “little one.” In English, the name evolved into a nickname for a small child or doll. However, the term originally denoted a long hooded cloak worn together with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade. It may have even earlier referred to a cape worn by a priest over his surplice. It is believed that the ebony blacks of the domino playing pieces resembled this cape, which contrasted with the white of the priest’s garment.
Whether you’re an off-the-cuff pantser or a plotter who uses Scrivener to create detailed outlines, you must have a plan for your story. If you don’t, your novel will have scenes that are either at the wrong angle or don’t have enough logical impact. Domino can help you figure out how to organize your novel and write a stronger manuscript.
Whether you use a template or not, the key to writing a strong narrative is action and reaction. Domino can help you determine the most effective actions to take in your manuscript, and then write the scenes that will create the biggest impact.