Day: December 3, 2023
Plan Your Scenes Like Dominoes
The domino effect describes a series of events that cascade from one to the next. It can be literally applied to a falling row of dominoes or, more commonly, to a chain reaction in which one event causes many other events that influence it. This concept of the domino effect has a place in writing, especially fiction. When you’re planning out your scenes, think of them as the dominoes—whatever action you need to set in motion to get your story to its climax. In a novel, scene dominoes might be anything from a specific action to a character’s motivation. Dominoes are small rectangular blocks, either plain or textured, that can be stacked on top of each other. Each tile has a value, indicated by the number of dots on its exposed ends (called pips). The value may be as low as one or as high as six. The total value of a domino, including the two matching ends, is called its rank. The first player places a domino on the table, usually by drawing lots or choosing the highest-valued hand. Once a domino is in play, the other players must place their tiles around it so that it’s surrounded by matched ranks. The more dominoes are piled up, the greater the force of gravity pulling them down. Hevesh works within these limits when she creates her amazing installations, whose largest setups can take several nail-biting minutes to fall. She follows a version of the engineering-design process to plan out her installations, and she test-runs each part before moving onto the larger arrangement. She explains that she begins with the theme of the installation, and brainstorms images or words that might connect to it. Then she makes a diagram of the entire project, including any 3-D structures, and adds in the directional arrows to show how each domino will fall. She also adds notes about the size and shape of each domino, noting its weight. Hevesh says that there’s no “right” way to make a domino layout, but she pays special attention to how the pieces fit together. The most important thing, she says, is that each domino be a good match for the next. She tries to make sure that each domino has enough force to knock over the next, and that the angles of the two connecting ends match up well. A domino set is traditionally made from a hard material such as bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, or ebony, with contrasting black or white pips inlaid or painted on. Some sets are also made from other materials such as marble, granite, or soapstone; metals like brass or pewter; and ceramic clay. If you’re a writer who plans out your novels in advance, using outlines and software like Scrivener to help you with the process, then the domino image is an excellent metaphor. However, even if you’re a “pantser,” a writer who writes without an outline, the domino image can still help you avoid creating scenes that aren’t necessary or don’t have a logical connection to the preceding ones.
Read MoreHow to Play Online Slots
Online slot games are among the most popular casino games. They appeal to players with their quick game rounds, the chance of a big win, and the fact that they are random, meaning luck has a lot to do with the outcome of any spin. These factors, along with the fact that slot games are easy to play, make them an instant hit. However, players should always be aware of how their habits can influence their results. Here are some tips to help avoid pitfalls. The simplest way to find out whether or not a particular slot machine is worth playing is by checking its payout percentage. This is usually listed on the rules page or information screen of a given slot game. It is also sometimes available as a list on the online casino’s website. Many online casinos offer slots, but they may not all have the same payout percentages. It is therefore important to read slot reviews and comparison websites. This will help you find a site that offers the highest payouts. A good place to start is the likes of TripAdvisor forums and Reddit where players often post their experiences with specific slot machines in casinos. Some people believe that slot games are programmed to give out more or less than other games, depending on how much you have wagered. This is not true, and it is just a superstition. Regardless of how much money you have put into a slot, your chances of winning are the same as any other game. Slot developers are continually working to add new gaming features to their slot titles. These new features are designed to improve the overall experience and keep players entertained. They can include a different type of wild symbol, an unusual reels structure, or a multi-level bonus feature. Adding new gaming features to slots is one of the best ways to prevent players from becoming bored with them. Bonus rounds are the most exciting parts of a slot game, and they can lead to huge wins. The most common types of bonus rounds are free spins, pick and click games, or random prizes. Some slots also have sticky wins or re-spins. Some slot developers even use a dropping symbols mechanic, known as Avalanches, Rolling Reels, or Cascading Symbols to create more winning opportunities for their players. Yggdrasil is another Scandinavian-based developer that has made its mark with its innovative slot titles. Some of its slots have won industry awards, while others have been featured in high-profile film releases. The company doesn’t have the largest portfolio of games, but its quality and innovation are well regarded. Aside from understanding RTP and volatility, there are other things you should know before pushing the “spin” button. The best way to do this is to read online slot reviews and guides, which are expert virtual handbooks that explain everything players need to know about a particular game. They can tell players how to improve their strategies, where to find the biggest jackpots, and what to avoid.
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