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The Domino Effect in Story-Writing

Domino is a game, but it’s also a metaphor for an important aspect of story-telling: the domino effect. You’ve seen it in action: tipping the first domino over ever-so-slightly causes the rest to fall in a smooth, rhythmic cascade of consequences. Whether you’re a pantser who writes off the cuff or use outlines and Scrivener to structure your work, considering the domino effect can help you keep your plot moving in a cohesive way.

Domino (also known as bones, pieces, men, or pips) is a generic term for any small rectangular block used as a gaming device. They are similar to dice and playing cards in that they can be used for a wide variety of games. Dominoes differ from other types of gaming devices, however, in that they are not used to determine the outcome of a game; instead, they are placed edge to edge against each other in order to build sequences or “reactions,” which can then be triggered and manipulated by a single player.

The first modern western dominoes were developed in the mid-18th century in Italy and France, and were introduced to England by French prisoners around that time. They are mainly used in positional games, in which players place one domino, edge to edge against another, so that the adjacent faces of the two match either identically or form some specified total. Dominoes are also a popular toy, and children enjoy stacking them on end in long lines and watching them topple over. Dominoes are often used to practice math skills, as they can be laid down in a variety of ways to create equations.

Aside from their use in games and as toys, dominoes are often stacked to form elaborate structures called structures or setups. When built to exacting standards, these structures can be quite spectacular. The art of creating domino structures is known as domino sculpting, and many people compete in competitions to set up the most impressive domino structures before an audience.

Domino’s founder, Tom Monaghan, was also a master of the domino effect. He focused on placing his pizzerias in strategic locations, near colleges and other places where his core audience was likely to be found. This helped the company grow quickly and allowed it to establish a solid reputation for quick, quality pizzas.

In addition to her mercenary skills, Domino has a unique ability that she calls the “domino effect.” She subconsciously generates a psionic aura that alters probabilities. This allows her to cause improbable events to occur within her line of sight, from having an enemy’s equipment malfunction to hitting just the right button that shuts down an overloading machine.

After an insane Scarlet Witch depowered the majority of mutants during M-Day, Domino reformed X-Force with Shatterstar and Caliban to liberate the mutants that were sequestered by ONE. Later, she was hired by the Thin Man to sabotage both Rumekistan and Cable’s island paradise Providence in an effort to tarnish his messianic image. She was captured by Tolliver, who had his agent Copycat impersonate her for the duration of the mission. Eventually, Domino was rescued by Cable and rejoined X-Force, only to be possessed by the Undying alien Aentaeros who sent British mutant Corben to kill her.