Of all the things that sometimes are on my desk (phone, headset for phone, camera, receipts, Kleenex, books, etc.) there are five things that are almost always present. in fact, my work space doesn't feel right without them.

A pen. Make that several. I'm never without a pen. I love gel pens but the one I usually have on my desk is an astronaut pen, the kind you can write upside down with. If you've never used one I highly recommend them. Sparkly pens, pens with restaurant or hotel logos, pens that are gadgets, I have them all and more than one of them is always on my desk.

A stack of scribbled on papers. Usually these are small note paper papers (or receipts, or napkins) that I've been writing stuff down on with the help of my pen. These are things I want to remember, like plot points, phone numbers, etc. It's easier for me to remember them if I keep having to shove them to the side on my desk than if I create a Word file for these notes which I will then never open again.

Something to drink. Water, Donald Duck Orange Juice, and Coca Cola are my beverages of choice. Tea occasionally makes its way to my desk as well. Whatever the form, I have to have something to drink while I work.

Something to eat. Although not as omnipresent as something to drink you can usually find some food (or left over wrapper) on my desk. When I'm on deadline this will always be a box of Cheez-Its. If I'm not on deadline but still have a lot of work to do it could be chocolate, nuts, or my lunch. Yes, I eat at the computer more often than not.

Schrodinger. That's right. My cat is almost always on my desk when I'm writing. If he's being a nice kitty he sits next to the keyboard and contents himself with occasional, random petting. If he's being a naughty kitty he lays with his head (and possibly his whole body) on the keyboard. I've learned to type around him. But when he starts crying and biting my fingers because he doesn't want me to work anymore, there's nothing I can do but stop and give him love. I've tried to outstubborn him, but he's got my impatience and the combined stubborness of both my husband and me.

So, there you go. That's a snapshot of my desk. What do you have on yours?