Full of Scorpions Is My Mind by Dianna Sinovic
December 13, 2025 by Bethlehem Writers Group in category From a Cabin in the Woods by Members of Bethlehem Writers Group tagged as Bethlehem Writers Group LLC, Dianna Sinovic, Macbeth, Something wicked this way comes, weird sisters
My long relationship with “the Scottish Play” dates back to grade school, when I was assigned the role of one of the Weird Sisters (was the teacher trying to tell me something?). Two other girls and I paraded around a faux cauldron to intone those famous lines:
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
I’m pretty sure my class did not stage the entire five acts of Macbeth, which seems too macabre for that age group. But I suppose that early exposure to the witches/weyward ones led me to my writing path of paranormal and horror.
Seeing the play again recently reminded me how powerful it is, and how it still speaks to the human condition and the ability of power to corrupt. It is, according to Meghan Winch writing in the Lantern Theater’s program, “about an unfit and unaccountable ruler seizing power from the rightful sovereign” and illustrates that “the people below suffer most when there is instability at the top.” Stuff right out of today’s news feeds.
The play is also full of evocative phrases that live on even today, more than 400 years later: “when the battle’s lost and won”; “what’s done cannot be undone”; “I bear a charméd life,” and “the milk of human kindness,” among others. One particular phrase, in a line delivered by Macbeth, had special relevance to me as a mystery writer: malice domestic. These days it’s the name of an annual crime fiction fan convention.
The Lantern Theater in Philadelphia is an intimate space, a theater in the round; the onstage sparring with spears and swords took place only a few feet from the theatergoers. The aisle one seat to my right was a key passageway during the production: Macbeth and his Lady ran up that aisle, to murder Duncan, the king, and Macduff used it to discover the dead body. Settled in a front-row corner, I was so close to the action that I was probably the only audience member who could see the apparitions in Act IV, as they stood “hidden” behind a scrim to speak their lines.
And speaking of lines, a play (Shakespearean or not) embodies the oft-repeated “rule” in writing fiction: show, don’t tell. On the stage, dialogue and action are everything; there is no room for exposition. We understand the story via the words the characters speak and how others on stage react.
Regarding those infamous weird sisters, they seem to be more than mere witches. The lines they speak weave an incantation via the rhyme, the alliteration, and the strangeness of the words themselves. “Weird” from Shakespeare’s time did not mean “strange.” It stemmed from “wayward,” which referred to “destiny” or “fate.” As such, did the sisters make Macbeth commit the murderous crime? Or did that tendency lie within him all along?
That’s for you to decide.
By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.
Dianna’s Books
BWG’s Books
A Memory of Gratitude by Carol L. Wright
November 13, 2025 by Bethlehem Writers Group in category From a Cabin in the Woods by Members of Bethlehem Writers Group tagged as Bethlehem Writers Group LLC, Carol L. Wright, From Scratch, gratitude, Sally W. Paradysz
The other day, I was thinking about how this regular “A Slice of Orange” column by members of the Bethlehem Writers Group (BWG) came about. It all began when one of our members, Sally W. Paradysz, wrote a monthly memoir/meditation from her “Cabin in the Woods” of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. When she started her regular contributions, she had already been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, but she didn’t waste her precious remaining time bemoaning her condition. Instead, she found many things for which to be grateful.
Bethlehem Writers Group was one thing she was thankful for until the end of her life. She was one of our founding members and grew as a writer during her years among us while helping other members to grow as well. I have always been grateful for Sal’s friendship and the time we had together.
After Sal’s passing in 2017 at the age of 77, other BWG members began writing their own thoughts for “A Slice of Orange” to fill the vacancy she left behind. You’ve seen us write original fiction, advice on writing, and thoughts on life.
Now, in the season for thankfulness, I want to honor Sal and share some of the many things that she appreciated most about this season–things that gave her life joy, love, and purpose. Below is a list of ten things I remember Sal being grateful for in this Thanksgiving season.
10. The fall palette that enhances Pennsylvania’s hills and woodlands, painting the trees in oranges, reds, yellows, browns, and greens against a clear blue sky in a natural masterpiece.
9. The scent of autumn after leaves have fallen when the air is crisp. It provokes a sense of anticipation of the changes to come: the bite of cold, a peaceful snowfall, and the contentment of being at home, snuggled under a blanket, stroking a cat, and reading a favorite book.
8. The trees that fell to give Sal a source of warmth through the colder months. Sal heated her house with a wood stove which gave a glow and fragrance that enriched the feeling of home. She thanked the trees for that gift.
7. The harvest that enhanced Sal’s vegetarian diet with fall flavors of squash and other vegetables that warmed the body and the heart.
6. The farewell honking of geese as they flew south for the winter. The songbirds that sang their gratitude for the many birdfeeders she filled as winter approached and food sources became increasingly scarce.
5. Deer and other wildlife, wearing their winter camouflage, that frequented her land, giving her a glimpse of stillness and beauty before disappearing into the gray-brown woods. Sal often wrote about the deer that eventually learned to trust her instead of fleeing from her presence.
4. The pets that owned her. Sal loved her gigantic Maine Coon cats. These long-haired beauties are friendly, vocal, loyal, and affectionate, even if they can be a lot to pick up and carry very far. They sometimes weigh in at over twenty pounds each.
3. The innumerable friends that shared parts of her journey, helping each other through the highs and lows, brightening joys and lightening sorrows. Sal’s heart was big enough to welcome friends wherever she went.
2. Family. Sal adored her children and grandchildren, appreciating each for their unique specialness. And, after a difficult marriage that ended in divorce, Sal found a true partner with whom to share the rest of her life. She was so very grateful for these much beloved people.
1. The blessing of a long life, affording opportunities to develop into her best self, to learn and grow, to become the published author she aspired to be . . . and to share these blessings with her readers from her cabin in the woods.
More of Sal’s Books
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Season’s Readings: More Sweet, Funny, and Strange Holiday Tales from the Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC
October 13, 2024 by Bethlehem Writers Group in category From a Cabin in the Woods by Members of Bethlehem Writers Group tagged as Bethlehem Writers Group LLC, new release, Seasons Readings
In this new addition to the “Sweet, Funny, and Strange” series of short-story anthologies, the multi-award-winning Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC, returns to its roots. As denizens in and around Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, (also known as “Christmas City, USA”) we were happy to make our first anthology a collection of holiday tales. But one volume just wasn’t enough. Now, in the eighth anthology, we’re returning to the theme to bring you twenty-one new stories that span the holidays from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve.
Emwryn Murphy’s sweet tale tells about a chosen family’s “Friendsgiving,” crashed by a blood-relative who might, or might not, be happy with what he sees in “As Simple As That.” Jerome W. McFadden once again reveals his humorous side in his story about a would-be Santa who gets into trouble in “Flue Shot.” A. E. Decker shares an intricate Christmas fantasy about “The Goblin King’s Music Box.” And Paula Gail Benson gives new meaning to a traditional symbol for the New Year in “Star of the Party.” Beyond these holidays, Debra H. Goldstein writes about Pearl Harbor Day, Diane Sismour about Krampusnacht, and Peter J Barbour about Hanukkah. Other favorite BWG authors, including Jeff Baird, Ralph Hieb, D. T. Krippene, Dianna Sinovic, Christopher D. Ochs, Kidd Wadsworth, and Carol L. Wright, also share their holiday musings.
In addition, this volume includes award-winning stories from the 2023 and 2024 Bethlehem Writers Roundtable Short Story Awards. Sally Milliken, the first-place winner in 2023, presents “The First Thanksgiving.” From 2024, we have our top three winners with first-place winner Rhonda Zangwill’s “Oh! Christmas Tree,” second-place winner Bettie Nebergall’s “Just Ask Santa,” and third-place winner Mary Adler’s “Narragansett Nellie and the Transferware Platter.”
We hope you enjoy these holiday gifts and that all our readers have the very happiest of holiday seasons.
Other Books by Bethlehem Writers Group
Marianne H. Donley, Featured Author of the Month
April 28, 2024 by marianne h donley in category Featured Author of the Month tagged as Bethlehem Writers Group LLC, Featured Author of the Month, Marianne H. Donley, Once Around the Sun, Tomato Blight
Featruing Marianne H. Donley
Marianne H. Donley makes her home in Pennslyvania with her husband, son, and a very very active dog. She is a member of Bethlehem Writers Group, The Charmed Connection, Sisters in Crime, The Guppies and Capital Crimes. When Marianne isn’t working on A Slice of Orange, she might be writing short stories, funny romances, or quirky murder mysteries, but this could be a rumor. She also could be knitting.
About Once Around the Sun
Each year consists of many seasons, each with its own unique appeal. Besides winter, spring, summer, and fall, within the pages of this book you’ll find seasons of life and love, sports seasons, and even seasons of discovery.
The multiple award-winning Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC, once again brings you stories that span a range of genres. Readers of mystery, romance, humor, paranormal, children’s, literary, popular, and women’s fiction will all find something to love. No matter your favorite season, you’re sure to discover a tale to amuse and delight.
Praise for ONCE AROUND THE SUN:
“Beautiful voices, gorgeous writing—fresh and vibrant and compelling and irresistible. This collection of stories—each one a gem—is a real treasure. Dip in and try one—lounging by the shore or curled up by the fire, you’ll find a perfect story for every season.” Hank Phillippi Ryan—Agatha, Anthony, Macavity, and Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning author.
Once Around the Sun escorts its lucky readers through the seasons. We witness winter snows and spring’s thaw; we feel summer’s heat and autumn’s chill. But the real journey cuts much deeper, an exposing of rich veins of faith, humor, friendship, and love. Once Around the Sun follows the cycles of our world and lives, a trip navigated by voices you won’t soon forget.”Curtis Smith—author of BEASTS & MEN and WITNESS.
“Once Around the Sun proves the short story is alive and well! Cover to cover, it is packed with delightful, insightful, and exciting short stories. What a treasure! Perfect weekend reading.” Rebecca Forster—USA Today bestselling author of THE WITNESS series and other thrillers.
This collection has a cosmic range of genres, styles, and matters of the heart that matter: pets, sports, hobbies, preserves, reserves, heroes, villains, mentors, ghosts, lovers haunted and haunting. It sticks to the soul.” Geoff Gehman—author of THE KINGDOM OF THE KID.
“Tomato Blight,” Marianne’s short story in Once Around the Sun, introduces detective Eleanor Reed as she solves a murder despite being haunted by the victim’s ghost.
Other Anthologies with Marianne’s stories.
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Marianne H. Donley, Featured Author
April 21, 2024 by marianne h donley in category Featured Author of the Month tagged as An Element of Mystery, Bethlehem Writers Group LLC, Featured Author of the Month, Iced, Marianne H. Donley
Featruing Marianne H. Donley
Marianne H. Donley makes her home in Pennslyvania with her husband, son, and a very very active dog. She is a member of Bethlehem Writers Group, The Charmed Connection, Sisters in Crime, The Guppies and Capital Crimes. When Marianne isn’t working on A Slice of Orange, she might be writing short stories, funny romances, or quirky murder mysteries, but this could be a rumor. She also could be knitting.
About An Element of Mystery
Dare you read our latest
Sweet, Funny, and Strange® Anthology?
The Bethlehem Writers Group is pleased to present this collection of tales of mystery and intrigue—the latest in its award-winning series of Sweet, Funny, and Strange® anthologies. From classic whodunnits to tales of the unexplained, each of the twenty-three stories contained herein have an element of mystery that will keep you guessing and wanting to read just one more story.
We’re thrilled to have old friends, but new members of BWG, join us this year. Award-winning author Debra H. Goldstein favors us with a mystery set among volunteers at a synagogue entitled “Death in the Hand of the Tongue,” while “Sense Memory,” by the multi-talented Paula Gail Benson, brings a delightful mix of mystery and the paranormal that helps a young couple find their way to each other.
In addition, we are happy to bring you the winning stories from two of our annual Bethlehem Writers Roundtable Short Story Award competitions: “Good Cop/Bad Cop” by Trey Dowell (2021 winner) and “The Tabac Man” by Eleanor Ingbretson (2022 winner).
You’ll also find stories from your favorite BWG authors, including Courtney Annicchiarico, Jeff Baird, Peter J Barbour, A. E. Decker, Marianne H. Donley, Ralph Hieb, DT Krippene, Jerry McFadden, Emily P. W. Murphy, Christopher D. Ochs, Dianna Sinovic, Kidd Wadsworth, Paul Weidknecht, and Carol L. Wright.
So get ready to be mystified . . . or intrigued!
An Element of Mystery finaled in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award.
Marianne’s short story “Iced” features Eleanor Reed, a police detective, who receives “help” solving crimes from a snarky ghost.
Other Anthologies with Marianne’s stories.
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