If you’ve ever even attempted to write anything in story format, you’ve more than likely found yourself caught in the middle of the debate over dialogue tags and whether “said” is the only one you should use. It’s long been a source of controversy in the writing community, especially those who prefer more descriptive alternatives. Some argue that "said" is invisible to readers and should be used exclusively, while others believe that more varied tags add flavor and depth to dialogue.

Debate aside, the actual truth is that dialogue tools are a tool, and like any tool, they should be used strategically.

We all like to laugh, and humor can be a powerful tool in even the most serious stories. It lightens the mood, deepens character relationships, and offers readers a moment of relief before diving back into the intensity of the main plot.

However, it can be tricky to find the balance. Too much, and it can feel out of place or break the emotional tension; too little, and the story may become overly heavy. The key is learning how to weave humor into your story naturally without disrupting the tone. Let’s get write on in to some techniques

It’s not uncommon for the terms “villain” and “antagonist” to get thrown around interchangeably, but they’re not actually the same thing.

Yes, all villains are antagonists, but on the flip side, not all antagonists are actually villains. Believe it or not, the distinction is important, as it can significantly impact the dynamics of your story, particularly how conflict and opposition are framed.

Even though they’re usually set up to be the bad guy, a great villain can be just as important—if not more so—than the hero who leads the story.

Yes, heroes inspire and guide us, and the purpose of the villains are usually to challenge the hero’s journey, create conflict, and force the protagonist to rise to new levels of greatness. Without them, stories would be bland and boring, and a well-crafted villain is the cornerstone of a compelling narrative, raising the stakes, driving the plot, and elevating the entire story.

Whether you ever have or ever intend to participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo or NaNo) in November, you shouldn’t hold yourself to only writing a book within those 30 days. If you’re like me, you might find out about NaNo right before it starts and have no idea what to do.

Never fear, even if it feels like you totally should.

I love seeing live renditions of Disney movies, like Aladdin when it rolled through San Diego a few months ago. I was equally excited to see Peter Pan as it came to town to close out this season of San Diego Broadway.

While the show takes on the same plot of Peter Pan flying into Wendy Darling’s room and taking her and her brothers, Michael and John, off to Neverland, the show’s approach is much more modern, much more racially inclusive, and fortunately much more gay.

“Proprioception,” in essence, is just your body’s natural awareness of itself. How it moves, how it takes up space, and how your physical mass exists in the world around you. If you close your eyes and raise your hand, you’ll likely be able to visualize where in the air your hand is, even if you can’t see it. Your proprioception will inform you where in space your hand has landed.

Keep reading to learn more.

“The first time you hear Mrs. Doubtfire’s voice, the very first hello on the phone is the moment I can feel the audience signing the permission slip for me to borrow the character for the evening,” says Rob McClure, who plays Daniel Hillard and Mrs. Doubtfire on the national run of the Mrs. Doubtfire musical.

I used to hate drag queens, which seems ironic given the fact there’s very little chance you’re currently here without knowing that I recently did drag for the first time. This experience was made all the better by the fact it was with the iconic Trinity the Tuck, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 4 who’s had a few tremendous runs throughout her time on the show.

When I went to Puerto Vallarta a few years ago, I knew there was a lot more to Mexico than what I experienced there. I loved Puerto Vallarta, especially with its LGBTQ+ focus, but I had a long list of other places I wanted to visit that I hoped I got to one day.

Among those was the country’s capital, Mexico City. In Spanish, it’s called Ciudad de Mexico and is often abbreviated as CDMX.

As a kid, my two favorite Disney movies were Aladdin and The Lion King. With Aladdin especially, I was just as much a fan of the sequels as I was the original, and “A Whole New World” has always been one of my favorite Disney jams.

Needless to say, I was pretty stoked to catch the National Tour of Aladdin on Broadway here in San Diego, and was even fortunate enough to chat with one of the stars, Aaron Choi as Iago, prior to the show.

Join me for a sweaty vinyasa flow designed to increase your strength, focus, and endurance. invigorating Power Yoga Flow designed to enhance your balance, strength, and flexibility!

When you have to put on a show that lives up to the legend that is Michael Jackson, the pressure for perfection is on from jump. MJ: The Musical recently embarked on its first national tour in August 2023 after making its Broadway debut in December 2021, and everyone involved knows exactly how much expectation everyone has to nail it.

Fortunately, they understood the assignment and delivered exactly what they needed to and more.

I love being able to see shows from San Diego Broadway, and next year’s 47th season looks like it’s going to blow the rest of them out of the water!

Although season 46 just passed its midway mark with Chicago, they’ve announced the lineup for the 2024-25 season and it really looks like they mean it when they say it’s going to be the best one yet.

I'm gonna rouge my knees and roll my stockings down… And all that jazz.

The national tour of Chicago has made its way to San Diego, and the show did not disappoint. Those who are familiar, however, will notice it’s not quite the same as what they’re used to, particularly when it comes to the set design and costumes.

I’ll be the first to say that depression is hard to deal with, whether you’re in the grief cycle or not. It’s a monster all on its own, and it attacks some people more than others. It’s a thief in the night and can strike at any time, and though some people are able to let go of their depression quickly, others may end up getting lost in it.

Well, damn, it’s already the end of January 2024, which means we’re headfirst into another year with a load of…whatever. Honestly, some years are better than others, and the last four have been a whirlwind for everybody. It’s just crazy that, three years ago, time seemed to be crawling by for everyone while we were under lockdown and isolation. Now, time has gone back to its blink-and-you’ll-miss-it pace and it’s hard to keep up.

So often, we get wrapped up in thoughts of “why” when tragedy strikes. Why did this happen to us? Why did this happen to them? Why does this hurt so much? These questions are a journey within and of themselves, and can frequently lead to trying to bargain with the Powers That Be, whatever that may mean to you, to try and change the sequence of events.

In this day and age, there’s negativity everywhere you go. Everyone thinks they’re right about everything and there’s a stark divide when it comes to topics like diversity. On the flip side, there are an equal number of people working toward bringing together a bigger sense of inclusion and awareness as we move toward a broader and more accepting society.

Among those out there making a difference is Justin Renaissance, a San Diego-based pop star who oftentimes works alongside The Trevor Project to bring forward the topic of queer inclusion and self-love.

Okay, hang on, I’m still caught up in the tornado that swept me out of the theater and smacked me in the face with one of the most amazing live performances I’ve ever had the fortune of seeing in my life.

All right, now that I’ve picked my jaw up off of the ground, let’s talk about the current national production of The Wiz.

Today, we tapped into our rage on the mat and worked to “punch out” the feelings that we’re going through. We moved through some punches and kicks incorporated with our yoga poses to tap into the rage we’re feeling but then to settle back into the experience as we returned to the poses and postures.

Whether you’re a newer writer or a seasoned pro, you’re bound to have to interview someone at some point of your career.

Regardless of your skill level, the status of your interviewee, or where the interview is going, let’s get write on in to some tips to help you crush your next interview.

Today was our first practice together on the mat and our first opportunity to get to know each other. As we connected with our breath and our bodies, we moved through a series of twists to help detox and wring out all of the stress and tension we carry within ourselves.

The holiday season at The Conrad promises a delightful sequence of events presented by the La Jolla Music Society (LJMS). Mark your calendar for a series of enchanting performances and festivities for all ages!

Here’s a look at what you can expect:

Start your day with a burst of energy and tranquility through this invigorating morning yoga flow! Join me in this short yet effective session designed to gently open up your hips, release tension, and set a positive tone for the day ahead.

I had mixed emotions heading into the San Diego Civic Theater’s national production of Mamma Mia. I was excited because Abba was one of my father’s favorite bands, and having lost him recently, it felt good to do something I felt honored in his memory. Having a local actress, Alisa Melendez, in a starring role as Sophie Sheridan was also exciting, and I couldn’t wait to see her blow her hometown house down.

What I was nervous about, however, was the fact I hated the movie.