| How to Eat a Cupcake Posted: 03 Jan 2021 04:00 PM PST There's no debate about the deliciousness of a cupcake, but there is some debate about how you should eat them. Biting into them from the side is fine, but it can lead to a messy face (and that's no way to behave when you're a proper gentleman or a fine lady, is it?). By trying a few different methods, you can enjoy your treat and keep your dignity intact the entire time. Plus, you might even make your cupcake more tasty! [Edit]Traditional Eating Style - Unwrap the cupcake. Set the cupcake on a plate and peel the wrapper off slowly, trying to keep the cake itself upright. Leave the wrapper on the bottom of the cupcake to catch any crumbs as you eat.[1]
- If you have a small plate, you can unwrap your cupcake there. Otherwise, just hold the cupcake in your hands.
- Hold the cupcake between your thumb and forefinger. This will give you the best grip as you chow down. Make sure you don't squeeze too hard and squish the cake, though![2]
- This will also help you avoid getting frosting on your hands as you eat.
- Take small bites out of the sides of the cupcake. Lift the cupcake up to your mouth and take tiny bites, trying not to get frosting on your nose or upper lip. Keep going in toward the center until your cupcake is nothing but a memory.[3]
- Keep a napkin nearby just in case you do get a bit of frosting on your face. It happens!
- Try to keep the wrapper out of your mouth. There might be a little bit of cakey goodness left over, but it's not worth the soggy texture.
[Edit]Sandwich Eating Style - Hold the cupcake in the palm of one hand. Rest the bottom of the cupcake in the palm of your non-dominant hand. Keep your hand steady so that the cupcake does not topple over.[4]
- Note that this method can also be referred to as the "gentleman style" or "hamburger style." It is a convenient and relatively mess-free alternative that creates an even ration of frosting to cake.
- This method works with any standard cupcake but does not work well with filled cupcakes.
- Use your other hand to tear the cupcake in half. Grip the center of the cupcake from the bottom using your dominant hand. Dig into the cupcake with your fingernails, twisting it gently simultaneously. Continue until the bottom breaks free from the top.[5]
- Note that it may be easier for you to use a knife to cut the cupcake in half. This can be done by placing the cupcake on a plate and sawing the top from the bottom with a knife. A plastic knife or other dull kitchen knife would do the trick.
- Smash the frosting onto the bottom of the cupcake. Take the top of the cupcake (the part with the frosting on it) and squish it down onto the bottom part of the cupcake (the one without frosting). Press well to secure the 2 halves together like a sandwich.[6]
- If there are any toppings on the frosting, like cookies or sprinkles, keep them smooshed in between the frosting and the bottom half of the cupcake.
- Eat the cupcake like a sandwich. With the frosting secured in between the cupcake halves, you can now hold the cupcake with one hand and take small bites. The frosting should (hopefully) stay contained within the cupcake halves so you don't have to deal with a messy lip or nose.[7]
- Watch out for any stray frosting squishing out the sides—butter icing has a tendency to do this.
[Edit]Eating with a Fork or a Cake Spoon - Put your cupcake on a plate. This method will only work if you have a flat surface, so hunt around for a paper plate, a saucer, or a countertop before you eat. Set your cupcake down so it won't roll away as you eat it.[8]
- If you're at a party, this can be a little bit tough to do. If all else fails, you can balance the cupcake on a napkin in your lap.
- Dig into the center with a fork or a cake spoon. Slice your utensil straight down into the cupcake from above, aiming to get both frosting and cake on your fork or spoon. Slide your utensil out of the cupcake at an angle to grab the tasty bite.[9]
- As the frosting gets taller (usually in the center of the cupcake) you might have some trouble getting both frosting and cake on your fork. If that happens, you can do a frosting-only bite once or twice, just until you're over the hump (of frosting).
- Take small, dainty bites. Enjoy your cupcake without the threat of a frosting face looming over you. Keep a napkin nearby to wipe your lips as you go, and remain calm, cool, and collected.[10]
- This is also a great way to share a cupcake with someone, if you're willing.
[Edit]Enjoying With Jams and Spreads - Divide the cupcake in half. Hold the cupcake steady with your non-dominant hand, grasping the cake portion with your thumb and forefinger near the top of the cupcake. Use a plastic knife or other dull kitchen knife to slice the cupcake in half, separating the top from the bottom.[11]
- This technique works best for unfrosted cupcakes and cupcakes that have very little frosting since the jam can be used to add more flavor. You can also use it for heavily-frosted cupcakes, but be aware of the fact that it can result in an even messier—albeit, tastier—treat.
- Set the top half aside as you work with the bottom half. Place the top half on your plate cut-side-down.
- You could tear the cupcake in half as you would do with the sandwich method, but cutting it in half is preferable for this method because it creates a smoother, more even division.
- Spread jam or another filling onto the bottom. Use a dull kitchen knife to smear a thin layer of flavored jam, honey, hazelnut spread, or other similar spread onto the cut-side of the bottom layer.[12]
- You can use a thicker layer of spread, but a thicker layer is more likely to squirt out from the sides of the cupcake as you eat it.
- Replace the top half. Place the top half of the cupcake back onto the lower half, reconnecting the two cut sides. Press down on the top half slightly to secure it in place, relying on the jam to adhere the halves together.[13]
- You could also eat the 2 halves separately for a less messy endeavor.
- Enjoy your cupcake with jam. Eat the cupcake by biting into as you would bite a sandwich. Watch out for any filling that falls out of the middle![14]
- You could even top your cupcake with a bit of whip cream for an added touch of sweetness.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Traditional Eating Style - Napkin
- Small plate (optional)
[Edit]Sandwich Eating Style - Napkin
- Small plate (optional)
[Edit]Eating with a Fork or a Cake Spoon - Small plate
- Fork or cake spoon
- Napkin
[Edit]Enjoying With Jams and Spreads [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Write a Screenplay Posted: 03 Jan 2021 08:00 AM PST Do you have an amazing idea for the next blockbuster movie or TV show? If you've ever dreamt of seeing your work on the big screen, it all starts with your screenplay. Every screenplay you write pushes characters through life-changing adventures to create an exciting and dramatic story. We know it's tough to know where to even begin, but we'll walk you through how to start your screenplay from the outline all the way to its final revision. In a few short months, you'll have a finished screenplay you can share with the world! [Edit]Outline - Brainstorm premises for your story using "what if" statements. The premise of your screenplay is the core of your story, so choose an idea that you're excited to pursue. Frame your premise as a "what if" question to help you pick out some of the central conflict.[1] Look for inspiration from your own life, the news, books, or even from other movies so you can find something that really sparks your interest.[2]
- For example, the question "What if Peter Pan grew up and forgot about Neverland?" is the premise for the movie Hook.
- As another example, the question "What if an ordinary boy found out he was actually a powerful wizard?" is a good premise for Harry Potter.
- Write your ideas on a notepad or on your phone whenever they come to mind. You never know when inspiration will strike.
- Choose a protagonist and antagonist for your story. The protagonist is the main character of your story and who the audience should root for throughout your script. Provide your character with an overarching goal to achieve by the end, but give them a personality flaw they need to overcome to reach it.[3] Conversely, the antagonist should actively try to foil your protagonist's plans. Brainstorm a character that directly goes against your main character's goal to keep your villain interesting.[4]
- For example, in Die Hard, John McClane wants to save his wife and the hostages held captive by Hans Gruber.
- Your antagonist doesn't have to necessarily be another character. It can also be a monster or the wilderness. For example, in The Revenant, the main character must survive harsh winter weather to make it back to his camp.
- Give your story constant conflict to create your character's arc. If your protagonist easily gets what they want right at the beginning of your story, your screenplay won't be as interesting as it could be. Brainstorm your protagonist's goal and the steps they need to take to get there. Then come up with conflicts that challenge your character and push them out of their comfort zone. These conflicts can be from your antagonist or poor decisions your character makes. By the end of your script, let your character reach their goals but go through some changes along the way.[5]
- Have your protagonist fail frequently to make them more believable and add some additional conflict.
- Let your character start in a place where they're comfortable but needing something that pushes them into unfamiliar territory. That way, they'll have to adapt and give things up to get what they want.[6]
- Write a 1–2 sentence logline to summarize your story idea. Your logline sells your premise and is what you'll tell other people to get them excited about your idea. Include your protagonist, their overall goal, and what stands in their way. Workshop a few different ways to write your logline and tell them to a few people to see if they're interested in your premise.[7]
- For example, a logline for the film Ratatouille might be, "A rat who wants to be a chef must work with an amateur cook to avoid being caught by the suspicious head chef."
- As another example, the logline for The Lord of the Rings could be, "A young man, with the help of a small group of friends, must take a ring across the country to defeat an evil ruler."
- Jot down all your scene ideas on separate note cards. Brainstorm some events or problems that you want your protagonist to encounter throughout your screenplay. Whenever you have a new idea, grab a new notecard and write it down.[8] Capture the main elements of the scene in about 7 words and print in large letters so they're easier to read. Aim to have between 40–60 index cards when you're finished.
- Some screenwriting software, such as WriterDuet and Final Draft, have digital index cards you can work with.
- At this stage, no idea is a bad idea. If you think something might be fun or cool to include in your screenplay, write it on a card and worry about if it fits with the story later on.
- Try using differently colored index cards for separate characters or action sequences so they're easier to sort through.
- Organize your scenes in the order you want them in your script. Lay your index cards out on a table or tack them up onto a corkboard so you can see all of the sequences. Rearrange the sequences to see what flows well dramatically from one scene to the next. Since you're still in the early stages of outlining, feel free to add or remove cards if you need them for your story.[9]
- Most movies and shows will be in chronological order of events, but you can try putting in events as flashbacks or flash-forwards to add twists to your movie, such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Inception.
- Break your story into a new act when your character reaches high or low points. Film scripts usually have 3 acts that each have multiple sequences. In the setup, or Act I, introduce your story world and protagonist. At the end of Act I, have your character make a decision that pushes them towards their goal and changes their life. During Act II, or the confrontation, show your protagonist working to reach their goal and how the antagonist wants to stop them. Build the end of Act II up to the climactic confrontation between your characters before entering the resolution, or Act III, to wrap up your story.[10]
- Act II is usually the longest of the 3 acts and will make up about half of your screenplay.
- If you're writing a television script, place your act breaks right where you would cut to a commercial.
[Edit]First Draft - Set a goal date in 5–6 weeks for when you want to finish your screenplay. It's always easier to work on something when you give yourself a deadline, so it can help keep you focused. Screenwriters usually take about 5–6 weeks to write a script, so aim to finish within that time frame. Mark the deadline on your calendar and set reminders for yourself so you can strive towards your goal.[11]
- Ask other people to hold you accountable to your goals to help you feel more motivated to finish on time.
- Work on 1–2 pages every day. Look for some time in your schedules where you can set aside a bit of time to write each day so you can get into a daily routine. Find a place free of distractions and focus solely on your screenplay so you can easily meet your end goal. At a rate of 1–2 pages per day, you can usually have your screenplay done within 2 months.[12]
- Don't get discouraged if you don't hit your goal every day. Writing can be really tough since it takes a lot of creativity. Even professional writers get stuck from time to time.
- Give each character a unique voice through their dialogue. Use dialogue to help drive your scenes forward and present new information for the characters. Avoid having characters say things that the reader would already know, or else it might seem to on the nose. As you introduce a new character, keep their voice distinct from other characters so they don't sound alike.[13]
- Try covering up the character's names and guessing which characters are talking passed on their speaking style. If the dialogue all sounds the same, then rework it so each person feels unique.
- Keep each scene to 3 pages or less. Always write your scenes to move the story forward in some way, whether that's through lines of dialogue or character actions. To keep your screenplay exciting and the action moving, determine the main point of the scene you're writing. Cut the beginning of the scene so you enter at the latest moment possible. End the scene as soon as you can after the main action so the plot moves forward.[14]
- It's okay to break this rule a few times especially during your first draft since you can always revise your scenes later on.
- Write without going back to edit. While it can be really tempting to get everything just right on the first pass, try your best not to go back and fix things. Let your ideas flow freely and just write what comes to your head at the moment. Have fun with your creativity and allow yourself to make changes to your story on the fly.[15]
- If you have an idea that isn't in your outline, just include it in your draft. You never know if it will work with the rest of your story until you try it out.
- Aim to write between 90–130 pages if you're writing a movie. Think of each page of your screenplay as 1 minute of time on screen as a general guideline. Even though some movies are shorter than 90 minutes and longer than 130 minutes, try to stay within the guidelines for your first script since it will be more widely accepted by professionals.[16]
- Finish a television script between 22–75 pages. The length of a television episode depends on the genre format you're writing. If you're writing an episode for a sitcom, then keep it between 22–45 pages since it will fill a half-hour time slot. If you're working on a dramatic show, then it's okay for you to write a 45- to 75-page script so it's about an hour long.[17]
- Page lengths for TV scripts are more strictly enforced than feature film scripts.
[Edit]Revisions - Set your script aside for 2 weeks to get some distance from it. You just spent a lot of time with your script and characters, so it can feel pretty difficult going back to edit. After you finish, take a break from your script and leave it alone. After about 2 weeks, you'll have fresh eyes and be able to catch things you may not have seen before.[18]
- You can start working on another project right away or just relax and celebrate that you finished a draft.
- Reread your script to find parts that don't make sense. Read your script out loud so it's easier to find your mistakes. Focus on bigger issues first, such as confusing passages, unclear motivations, and themes that don't quite land how you want them to. As you go through the script, mark or highlight the areas you want to revise.[19]
- Avoid focusing on issues like grammar and spelling right away since you can fix those later on.
- Cut or rework scenes that don't add something new to the plot. Every scene in your script should move your character closer to their goal or reveal new information for your protagonist. As you work through each of your scenes, ask yourself how the scene relates back to the overall plot. If you can't find a good reason to include the scene, then you may not need it in your script.[20]
- For example, a character walking home after work doesn't add anything to the story. However, if the character runs into a romantic interest while they're walking home, it can add to your character's story.
- Read your dialogue out loud to see if it sounds natural and realistic. Someone will have to perform the dialog you wrote, so act it out yourself to see if it's easy to say. If you find yourself stumbling over your words or if your dialogue sounds robotic, you may need to rework the phrasing so it's easier to understand.[21]
- For example, a 10-year-old character saying, "I do not think this will work out well," sounds a little stilted. Instead, you might edit the dialogue to "I don't think that's gonna go well."
- Have someone you trust read through your screenplay for feedback. It's always nice to have another set of eyes on your screenplay, so talk to your friends, parents, or teachers to see if they'll give you feedback. Ask them to pinpoint any issues they see in your script and let them know if you have any specific questions. When they finish reading, ask about what parts were too confusing or hard to follow.[22]
- Continue your rewrites until you're happy with your script. It can take a bit of time to perfect your screenplay to get it exactly where you want it, so don't expect to be finished after 1 or 2 drafts. Keep reworking and revising the screenplay until it's as clear as possible and ask for feedback after each revision. Even though it may take a bit of time to polish, you'll be happier with your final script.[23]
- Work on revisions in separate documents so you can look at a fresh new page each time. You can still cut and paste bits you like from the old versions into the new ones.
[Edit]Screenplay Format - Use 12-point Courier font for your entire screenplay. Courier is the industry-standard font for screenplays, so avoid using anything else. You can work in a standard word processor, or you can try using software specifically made for screenwriting since it will automatically choose the right fonts and formats.[24]
- Popular free screenwriting software you can try includes WriterDuet and Celtx.
- You can also pay for screenwriting software that has more features, such as Final Draft, Fade In, or Highland.
- Put your title, name, and contact information on the front page. Come up with a title for your screenplay and write it in all caps in the center of the page. Add a line break after the title and type the phrase "written by" in all lowercase. Then put another line break before putting your first and last name. In the bottom-left corner of the page, put your information, like your phone number and a professional email address.[25]
- You do not need to include your mailing address on the title page of your screenplay.
- Write scene headings in all caps when you introduce a new location. The scene headings, or "slug lines," let your reader know where the action of a scene takes place. Start the heading with "INT." for interior locations and "EXT." if the scene takes place outside. Then, write the name of the location followed by a hyphen. After that, include the time when the scene takes place using words like "DAY," "NIGHT," or "MORNING."[26]
- For example, you may have scene headings like "INT. CLASSROOM - DAY" or "EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT."
- If you want to specify a room, just add it after the location. For example, you could write, "INT. TYLER'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT."
- Keep your scene headings in from the left of the page.[27]
- Describe settings and what characters are doing in action blocks. Use the present tense in your action blocks to give visual details about what's happening in your scene. Establish the location and let the reader know what your characters are doing. Only focus on what the audience would be able to see or hear in the scene since you can explain them visually.[28]
- For example, rather than saying the "The pie smells good," you could try something like, "Alex walks up to the pie and takes in a big whiff. He licks his lips at the scent, ready to dig in."
- Whenever you're introducing a character for the first time, write their name in all caps and give a brief visual description. For example, you could write, "SYDNEY, 23, walks through campus in baggy sweatpants sipping a coffee."
- Keep action lines single-spaced, in from the left, and in from the right.
- Center character names and dialogue on the page when someone speaks. Whenever a character is about to talk, start a new line in the center of the page. Write the character's name in all caps before adding another line break. Then write down what the character says as dialogue below their name.[29]
- If a character isn't on screen while they're talking, then put (O.S.) after their name to signify they're off-screen.
- Place character names and dialogue and from the left edge respectively.[30]
- You can also add parentheticals on the line after a character's name to convey the mood or tone of their voice. For example, it could say something like "(frightened)" or "(tense)." Keep the parentheticals in from the left margin.
- Align transitions on the right side of the page. Transitions help you move from scene to scene so your reader knows you're about to change locations. Start a new line at the end of the scene. Use the phrase "CUT TO:", "DISSOLVE TO:", or "FADE OUT:" to show how you want to switch from the previous sequence to the next one.[31]
- Leave the transitions from the right edge of the page.
- Always start the next line after a transition with a new scene heading.
- Add page numbers to the top-right corner starting on the second page. You don't need page numbers on your title page or on the actual first page of your script. On the second page of your script, put "2." in the top-right corner. Keep numbering the rest of the pages the same way.[32]
- Keep the page numbers from the top of the page and flush with the right margin.
[Edit]Screenplay Help - Read screenplays for movies that you enjoy so you can see how they're written. Try searching for the name of the movie plus the phrase "screenplay PDF" to see if you can find any copies.
- Don't worry if your first screenplay isn't perfect. It's normal for your first screenplay to not be very good—the more you write and practice, the better you'll get![33]
- Follow agents and production companies online as you write your screenplay so you can learn more about the industry and what kind of entertainment people are looking for.[34]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Organize Your Room Posted: 03 Jan 2021 12:00 AM PST Organizing your room can help you feel more calm and in control of your own life. Going about your day will be much easier if you know exactly where everything is. You'll not have to waste twenty minutes of your day searching for your favorite top or pair of jeans. If you want to know how to organize your room, just follow these steps. [Edit]Sorting Through Your Belongings - Take all of your belongings out of their current locations. This may seem painful and like you're creating a bigger mess, but if you really want to organize your room, you have to start from scratch. Though you may be overwhelmed by the giant pile of stuff you've created on your floor, desk, or bed, rest assured that you'll find the right place for everything soon enough.[1]
- Remove everything from your closet. Your clothes, shoes, and anything you keep in your closet can go in a pile on the floor in front of the closet.
- Remove everything from your desk. You can place the papers and anything else you find on the desk's surface.
- Remove everything from your dresser. If you're creating too much of a mess, remove one drawer at a time.
- Take any other items that are laying around and place them on your bed and on the floor.
- If taking everything out of its place at once is overwhelming and is taking up too much space, you can tackle your room by taking apart one area at a time.
- Organize your belongings. Before you begin to figure out where everything should go, you should get a number of boxes and label them for different purposes. Crates or plastic bins will work just as well, but boxes are best because you can just recycle them when you're done organizing and won't have to deal with more clutter. Label them Keep, Store, Donate, and Trash. [2] Here's how you should label the boxes:
- Keep. The items that you keep will be items that you use on a regular basis. If you've used the item in the last two or three months, you should keep it.
- Store. These are things that you can't bear to throw away, such as something with sentimental value, but which you rarely use. You can also store away a large portion of your clothes that you won't wear until the next season or two. If it's the middle of the summer, you can store your winter sweaters, and if it's the dead of winter, you can store your summer dresses.
- Donate. These are items that may benefit someone or could be sold, but which you don't need any more. You may have a nice sweater that you don't fit into anymore that you can donate, or an old textbook that you can sell.
- Trash. These are items that no one needs -- including you. If you have to spend time wondering what something is, or when the last time you even saw it was, or even if you forgot you ever owned something, it's time to toss it.
- Try to get rid of as many items as possible. This is an important step. Though you may want to throw everything in the "Keep" box, or have put every last extra item in the "Store" box, this won't help you get organized. You need to do some searching to figure out what you really need in your room right there where you spend your time. Remember that less really is more. The less things you have, the easier it will be to organize your bedroom.[3]
- Try the twenty second rule. If you have to spend more than twenty seconds looking at an item and asking yourself if you'll ever use it again, the answer is no.
- If you have something you know you don't need but don't want to part with it, try giving it to a friend or family member so you feel better about it being in someone else's hands.
- Put all the boxes except the "Keep" boxes in the right place. Now that you've organized your room, you can begin to get rid of all the things you don't need. The sooner you get rid of or store the other boxes, the easier it will be to move on with your organization. Here's what to do:
- The first part is easy. Just throw out everything in the "Throw Out" box.
- Find a local church, Goodwill, or another organization that is taking donations, and bring all of your donated items there. Be prepared for the place to tell you that they won't accept some of your items. You can either try to donate them somewhere else, or just throw them out.
- Start selling your "Sell" items. Have a garage sale or put them on Craigslist.
- Store your storage boxes. If you have a storage unit or another place outside of your room to place them, great. If not, store them in a part of your room you won't be using very often, such as under your bed or in the back of your closet. Remember to label them carefully so you know where your things are when the time comes to use them or donate them.
[Edit]Reorganizing Your Belongings - Organize your closet. Keeping an organized and neat closet is the key to having a clean bedroom. You should make the most of your closet space and organize your clothes by season. If you have a larger closet, it may be a good place to store your additional items or to keep your shoes and accessories.[4] Here's how to organize your closet:
 - The first thing you should do after you've sorted your clothes into the "Keep", "Store", and "Donate" piles is to take one more hard look at your clothes. If you haven't worn a certain item in over a year, it's time for it to go. The only exception for this rule is if you have a very formal gown or suit that you haven't had a chance to wear and that still fits you.
- Organize your clothes by season. Keep the summer, spring, winter, and fall clothes on the same part of the closet. If you have room for storage in the closet, store those off-season clothes in a bin in the back of your closet.
- Hang up as many of the clothes as you can while still maintaining space between your garments to create order. Try organizing them by the type of garment they are. For example, when you hang up your summer clothes, keep tank tops, t-shirts, and dresses separated.
- Make use of the space below your clothes. If you've hung up your clothes, you should still have a few feet of space below them, so don't waste it. Use the space for a storage bin or for a shoe rack.
- If you have a door that opens instead of a sliding door, invest in a shoe rack or jewelry holder that hangs over your door. This is a great use of space. If you don't have a door there, you can consider hanging one of these over your bedroom door.
- If you have room in your closet for a dresser, this is the perfect place for it.
- Organize your dresser. Your dresser is the place where you store your additional clothes or accessories, so it should be as neat as possible to prevent you from turning it upside down every time you search for another piece of clothing. Here's how to organize your dresser:
- Organize the top of your dresser. Take all the clutter from the top of your dresser and put it in a plastic bin at the corner of the dresser. If there's a better place for the clutter, like your bathroom, desk, or top drawer, put it there. If you find stuff that's better off in someone else's hands, donate it or sell it.
- Find a good use for your top dresser drawer. Don't just use the top drawer to throw in everything that doesn't have a good place. Decide what this use will be and stick to it.
- Organize the rest of your drawers. Create a drawer for your underwear, a drawer for your pajamas, a drawer for your athletic gear if you work out a lot, and then one or two drawers for the tops and bottoms you wear every day. Keep your tops and bottoms separate so you know where to find everything.
- Organize your desk. If you have a desk in your room, you should keep it as organized as possible. Come up with a game plan for separating and organizing all of your important items so you avoid a mess in the future. Here's how to do it:
 - Designate a place for your scissors, staplers, and other office supplies. This could be an area on the corner of your desk or your top drawer. It should be easily accessible since you'll use these items often. Remind yourself to keep all of the desk things on the desk. If you use the stapler, return it to the desk, or it may get lost among the other clutter in the rest of your house.
- Designate a place for your writing utensils. Have a cup or small case for keeping your writing utensils so you no longer have to spend fifteen minutes looking for a pen. As you do this, go through your utensils to make sure that all of them work. Toss out the ones that can barely write a simple sentence.
- Create a filing system for organizing your papers. Create folders or drawers designated for different tasks. One drawer could be used for important papers that you don't use often. Another drawer or folder could be designated for papers for a certain subject or aspect of your life. Don't mix the papers up, or you'll have a hard time finding things.
- Minimize the clutter on the surface of your desk. Try to keep the photos and mementos on your desk at a minimum to give yourself more room to work, keep your computer, or other things.
- Organize the rest of your room. Once you've tackled your closet, dresser, and desk, your room should begin to look like a new calm and organized place. However, you're not done quite yet. Before you can truly say your room is organized, there are a few more things you should do:
 - Make your bed. Part of having an organized room is putting things in their place, and your bedspread and pillows should go where they belong. If your bed is cluttered with so many pillows or stuffed animals that you can barely sleep in it, then it may be time to store, donate or throw out of some of the items.
- Clean out the space under your bed. A made bed does not look nice if the space under your bed is filled with clutter and junk!
- Get rid of the clutter on your walls. Some eye-catching posters and paintings are nice and a whiteboard or calendar can also help you get organized. However, get rid of old posters that don't pique your interest, old, torn photos, and other wall clutter. Those things can go into storage or donation, but only donate things that are in good condition.
- Organize any other remaining pieces of furniture. If you have a night stand, a filing cabinet, or a bookshelf, make sure that they are as neat, tidy, and as logically organized as the rest of the items in your room.[5]
- Put any remaining items in their place. If you still have some items hanging around, find a place for them.
[Edit]Cleaning Your Newly-Organized Room - Clean your floor. Now that you've put all of your items in their place, you should have a bare floor. Take the time to clean it to give your room that polished feel. You won't feel organized if your room doesn't feel clean.
- Put on some music or invite a friend over to help you clean to make the process more enjoyable.
- If you have a hardwood floor, wash or sweep it. If you have a carpeted floor, it's time to vacuum.
- Wipe down all of the surfaces in your room. Take a wet cloth and run it over your desk, the top of your dresser, your nightstand, and any additional items in your room. Get rid of all of the dust that you've ignored while your room was too messy.
- Make a goal of wiping the surfaces in your room at least once a week.
- Make a game plan to stay organized and clean. You don't want all the hard work you put into cleaning and organizing your room to go to waste. If you go back to your messy habits in just one week, you can undo so much of the effort that you've put in. Here's how to make sure you maintain a clean and organized room in the future:
- Be determined to spend at least 5 to 10 minutes every night organizing your room before you go to bed. Now that you've organized the last of your things, you should vow to keep them in their places.
- Be determined to clean your room for at least 5 to 10 minutes every day. This includes taking out the trash, getting rid of any food, and removing any old papers, ticket stubs, or random things that have accumulated in your space.
- Have a wastebasket so you can keep trash from cluttering your room.
- Put on music. It will help you have fun while you clean.
- Check your room weekly and pick up trash or clothes that are on the floor.
- Reward yourself once your room is organized with things such as a favorite movie or video game, a fun outing, or something like that.
- Put things near where you use them. Put your accessories by your mirror, your pencils by your desk, and so on.
- Think of how you may want to organize your spaces before you organize them, that way it will be easier to start - and finish. Of course, if you want to do it spontaneously, that's fine too!
- Make a list of the most important areas to tackle first, otherwise, you may find yourself tackling the small stuff and avoiding the big stuff. Stick to your list in order of priority and you'll feel more relief when it's done.
- Purchase organizational buckets and drawers to store clothes or accessories in.
- Make your bed every morning. This will encourage you to stay organized, and your room will seem a lot cleaner from that alone.
- Try to have breaks in between so you don't get tired. Have a snack, drink some water, and read a book for 15 minutes or so.
- Organize books, CDs, and DVDs in alphabetical order to make it easier to find what you're looking for. You can also organize them by genre, if you want.
- If you clean out your wardrobe, try everything on before deciding which box to put it in. If it doesn't fit, or you wouldn't be caught dead wearing it, don't keep it (or save it for a younger sibling so that when they grow it will fit them). If you are saving it for a younger sibling, then put it in your storage box.
- Try purchasing under bed storage boxes. They are only about $2.99.
- If you need more places to put things, buy or reuse boxes. Mason or candy jars can also make pretty containers for smaller items like writing utensils or your scissors, stapler, and other supplies.
- When throwing away items, check with your parents first to make sure you're allowed to get rid of these things.
- Try to think about the outcome while cleaning to motivate you and at the and you can decorate a bit. It'll make your room a little more you and look pretty nice and colorful as well!
- If you have a small room, you can move things from your room to other places in your house. That way, it's less easy to make it messy again.
- Put all your stuff besides furniture on your bed to vacuum or clean the floor so you don't have to do it as you're cleaning.
- Quickly clean your room every night.
- If you get changed, don't just leave your clothes you are getting out of on the floor, pick them up and if they are dirty put them in the laundry.
- If your mom or dad has their own closet, give the hangers that once held your old clothes to them.
- Don't rush it. Take your time so you can do a good job.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Several large cardboard boxes
- Storage boxes
- Cleaning items, such as a vacuum, broom, and duster
- Hangers
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