Hello everyone! Today I did some more research for my short story.
For the climax of the story, it will be set in the archives of a small town. I’ve never written about archives so I had to do some research about it! Originally, my plan was to make the archives very stereotypical so they would be dusty/old/forgotten. I also imagined it would be in a basement. However, the more research I have done, I have learned that they are actually cared for very well (1). Archivists also don’t like when a researcher “discovers” something in the archives. They know their collections well, and many times when things get “discovered” they can be outliers when it comes to what the archives typically collect and uses for other materials (3). Also, many archives are apparently quite vibrant, and archivists are very interesting and passionate professionals working to make them that accessible (3). However, with all of that being said… I think I’m still going to use the stereotypical archives for my story and make them dusty, dark, and mysterious 😀
For the falling action of my story, the main character will have just discovered something very traumatic, so her best friend will comfort her and provide emotional support for her. Because of this, I researched the best ways to do this. I learned that you should avoid downplaying your friends problems, and you should listen attentively and ask clarifying questions to help understand a friend’s perspective more accurately than making assumptions (2). You should also first validate their feelings before offering cognitive support such as reframing the situation positively. This approach avoids making the friend feel misunderstood or dismissed (2). When giving advice, it’s also better to facilitate a discussion that helps the friend reach their own decision rather than providing direct solutions, which can make them feel incompetent (4). Lastly, you should avoid excessive venting with friends, as it can lead to co-rumination, increasing anxiety and depression. Instead, recognize the pattern and suggest a break or distraction before returning to problem-solving (4).
For the resolution of my story, I didn’t need to do any research because it is just a scene where the main character finally realizes she needs to move on with her life. I will write this part without any prior research because this scene will just purely be creative writing that I come up with all on my own.
Thanks for reading! (:
References:
- ‘Fighting Archival Stereotypes – Ditching “Dusty”’. Things I’m Fonds Of, 15 Nov. 2018, http://www.thingsimfondsof.com/ditching-dusty/.
- ‘How to Support a Struggling Friend | Psyche Guides’. Psyche, https://psyche.co/guides/how-to-support-a-friend-going-through-a-difficult-time. Accessed 16 May 2024.
- Cross, Samantha. ‘Archives in the News: The Delicate Art of Stereotyping Archivists’. POP Archives, 18 Sept. 2018, https://www.pop-archives.com/post/archives-in-the-news-the-delicate-art-of-stereotyping-archivists.
- ‘How to Help A Friend Who’s Struggling Emotionally’. Arcadia University, https://www.arcadia.edu/life-arcadia/campus-life-resources/health-wellness/counseling-services/help-friend/. Accessed 16 May 2024.
