A domino is a small, rectangular block that is used as gaming object. They are commonly made from wood, although they can be constructed from other materials including bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory and a dark hardwood like ebony. Each domino has an identifying pattern on one side and is blank or identically patterned on the other. The identifying pattern on the domino is known as a “pips” and these pips are used to determine what number each domino has in a set.
Dominoes are best known for their use in the game of dominoes where players place pieces edge to edge, aiming to get the value matched by the other side’s pips or to form a specific total. The game is very popular with children and adults and can be played alone or in groups. Dominoes are also a great way to develop motor skills.
When it comes to building an impressive domino chain reaction, the most important factor is time. As each piece falls, the next domino must be positioned in the correct spot to allow the chain to continue unbroken. For this reason, some of the most elaborate domino sets are built in front of audiences and judges who are able to watch each step.
In a domino show, builders set up hundreds or even thousands of pieces in careful sequence and then nudge each one with just the right amount of force to cause it to fall in succession. The resulting effect is breathtaking to watch. These shows are often held in casinos or convention centers where competitors vie to build the most complex and imaginative domino reaction or domino effect before an audience of fans.
As we have seen in the case of Hevesh and her domino setups, timing is everything. When designing her mind-blowing displays, Hevesh follows a version of the engineering-design process that includes brainstorming ideas, creating blueprints and analyzing the laws of physics to make sure her creation will fall according to plan.
The same principles of timing can be applied to writing a story, whether we are working with words or with characters. Scenes in a story must be carefully spaced and they must be paced so that the reader is eager to see what happens next. This is especially true in scenes that are meant to advance the plot of the story or reach a major dramatic moment. For example, a scene that shows the hero winning a race or making an important discovery should be followed up fairly quickly by a new challenge or setback. This allows readers to remain engaged in the story and not get bored with the hero being victorious too soon.