@bmahin,
As already stated, your primary problem is filling the Desktop with anything - Files, Photos, Movies, -anything.
Please keep it free of all this clutter. Naturally, there are occasions when it is quite legitimate to temporarily store Files or Folders on the Desktop - eg when engaged on a project where you require instant access to certain items that you are working on.
But an even better way of organising Projects and other frequently accessed Files is this:
Keep the Desktop empty except for showing active Drives (Macintosh, Time Machine, CCC or SuperDuper!).
In Finder > Documents, create a Project Folder - let's call it "My first book". Put all your needed documents, photos, data and so on into that Folder.
***Now, Left Click on that Folder and drag it into the Dock, to the far right close to the Bin (NOT into the Bin, of course). This will create an Alias (in Windows, you'd call it a Shortcut).***
Now, your Desktop is clear and when you need to work on your project, just Click on the "My First Book" alias in the Dock. This will open up all you need to work on it. Close out of it when finished. It will remain in the Dock till you need it next, but being an alias, it is actually stored in your Documents within Finder.
Do try to keep your desktop as clear as possible.
*** You could, instead of dragging it to the Dock, drag it into the Sidebar of Finder where it will create an alias there and you can work on it as above. Remove from Sidebar when finished.**
This is what it would look like in the Dock:
And this is what it looks like in the Finder Sidebar
Ian