Experiment with different lighting. Adjust the proximity of a lamp; how do the shadows change? Which objects are highlighted, and which are hidden? How would the piece look with the lamp as part of the still life?
Looking beyond composition, the items you’ve chosen to shoot says a lot about you. Paul Cézanne’s interest in skulls spoke of his fascination with mortality.
Fruit is a reliable example, but you could try books, old electronic hardware, or busts. For painters, it might take days to get these onto canvas. For photographers, it takes minutes.
Experiment with different lighting. Adjust the proximity of a lamp; how do the shadows change? Which objects are highlighted, and which are hidden? How would the piece look with the lamp as part of the still life?