Using the Domino Effect in Your Novel
Domino is a word that implies authority and dominance. It’s a good name for a business, an organization, or a product, imparting a sense of power and expertise. It’s also a great choice for a first name, particularly for men or women who want to project an aura of dominance and mastery.
The domino effect describes a series of events that begin with one small action but ultimately lead to much greater–and sometimes catastrophic–consequences. It’s a concept that applies to the writing process as well. In fiction, the domino effect can be used to create a compelling plot and illustrate a theme or argument. In nonfiction, it can help writers plan a narrative.
The most obvious way to use the domino effect is in a story. Whether you write off the cuff or follow a detailed outline, plotting your novel eventually comes down to one question: What happens next? Using the domino effect in your novel can help you answer that question with confidence and ease.
When you think of a domino, you probably picture a set of flat, rectangular pieces with a value printed on each side. These pieces are stacked on end in long lines. If one domino is tipped over, it causes the next domino in line to tip and so on, creating a complex pattern that ultimately topples over with the slightest nudge. These lines of dominoes are often used in games to create patterns or to win competitions.
In a real-life example of the domino effect, University of British Columbia physicist Lorne Whitehead demonstrated that the simple act of pushing over a single domino can knock down something about an order of magnitude larger than the original domino. In his video, he set up 13 dominoes, the smallest of which was only five millimeters tall and the largest of which was more than three feet tall.
Domino’s powers are the result of a genetic mutation. Her “luck” ability is unconsciously controlled and triggered in stressful situations like fighting or escaping. She has shown a level of control over this ability, causing lightning to strike two sentinels when they were tracking her during Civil War:X-Men #1. After this, she left X-Force and broke up with Cable before returning to her mercenary ways.
Domino’s abilities are further enhanced by a psionic link she shares with her brother Cable. This psionic connection allows her to communicate with Cable and to read his thoughts. This is useful for planning missions, as she can anticipate what he will do or say before he does it. It’s also helped her track down and capture Vanisher. When Domino’s reality was overlaid with that of Earth-295, she was tasked with investigating the situation in Rumekistan, where she found and assassinated Flag-Smasher. When the reality was restored, she reunited with Cable and returned to X-Force, though she later separated from them when she began dating the feral Grizzly.