Writing Sample: "Martha Takes Out the Trash"

Another blog post, another writing sample, and another dog cameo...  

This is a 10x10 story I did today at the Creative Copy Challenge from yesterday's prompt words.  I like how this one turned out, and I'm even already working on an expanded short story based on it.  Once finished, the short story will go into the submission pool, where I have several items at the moment.  When (IF???) any of these actually get accepted, I will let you know, but for now, the 10x10's are kind of a fun way to keep the creative juices flowing, generate story ideas, and make new material for my blog.

As I've said before, the 10x10 concept uses the ten prompt words from the CCC in a specific way:  Ten lines of ten words each, with the prompt words used in order and in their numeric position (the first prompt word is the first word in the first line, the second prompt word is the second word in the second line, and so forth).  It's an artificial but interesting constraint that seems to inspire me, especially when I try to make it as improvised and off-the-cuff as possible.  Yeah, I'm weird -- I know it...   ;^)

Anyway, the words from yesterday were:

1. Contain
2. Pretend
3. Knock
4. Vision
5. Wonderful
6. Fun
7. Magic
8. Count
9. Grab
10. Seal

 ...and the story I created and posted today is:

"Martha Takes Out the Trash"

"Contain yourself," Martha said to her hyperactive dachshund Baron Fuzzface.

"Don't pretend you didn't hear me." Baron Fuzzface just panted.

"You always knock me over when we take out trash."

Martha sighed.  Her vision of wedded bliss had faded again.

Yet another potential Mister Wonderful had turned into Selfish Asshole,

and her souvenirs of dating fun had become hurtful reminders;

Worthless junk that emphasized how the magic had fizzled out.

Martha loaded the cans.  Baron Fuzzface kept count by jumping.

She watched the trash; saw the burly trash-man grab it.

He winked at Martha. Baron Fuzzface barked like a seal.

===

Thanks for reading!!!