I am not one to take the time to arrange objects for a photo. I find it much more interesting and challenging to search for objects or scenes that are already "arranged" and then to "arrange" myself to best capture the photo. Admittedly, it is much easier to pick things up and place them, but that doesn't necessarily tell the true story.
This image is the story of an afternoon of painting. The objects are exactly how I left them on my desk and that is how I wanted to document and remember my day. For this story to be complete, I needed to include the finished painting and the tools that I used, right down to the dirty paper towel in the background. I did not move any of these things as I tried to compose my photo, but I did move myself and try shooting from different positions side-to-side and from above and below. I settled on this perspective because it included all of the characters in the story and the diagonals through the frame created some movement through the frame.
As you go about your day, keep your eyes open and look for a naturally occuring collection of things. Arrange yourself in the taking of the photo to tell the story of those things. Your story may be fiction or non-fiction. You are the storyteller! Have fun!