Start by freewriting on the topic of things lost. After writing for ten to fifteen minutes, turn your freewrite into either a story or a poem.

The idea for this exercise originated in Naomi Shihab Nye's anthology What Have You Lost?; when I've used it in workshops, I'm always impressed by what the topic evokes for people.

For a bonus exercise, write next about something found, or choose a different writing prompt.

Yes, August is a quiet month in the world of contests, but there are a few awards worth checking out, including the Delaware Division of the Arts Individual Artist Fellowships (Aug. 3), the Gival Press Short Story Award (Aug. 8), and the Glimmer Train Short Story Award for New Writers (Aug. 31).

"Vagueness is often our first impulse when we're getting things down," writes Chris Lombardi in the Gotham Writers' Workshop's Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York's Acclaimed Creative Writing School. But it's specificity that gives our descriptions power. Learn how to be more specific by studying Annie Proulx's wonderful descriptions of Quoyle in the first chapter of The Shipping News.

A reader named Bob wrote in to tell me about the Esquire Fiction Contest, which seems to be one of those rare creatures, the free contest, if I'm reading it correctly . . . In any case, submit up to 4,000 words on one of three titles by August 1: 1. “Twenty-Ten”; 2. “An Insurrection”; and 3. “Never, Ever Bring This Up Again.” Winner will receive $2500.00 and publication in the magazine. See the site for full details, and see our August contest calendar for other listings. And, of course, thanks to Bob for sending it in.