REQUIRED READING: DRAFT FORUM GUIDELINES
Introduction
Hello, welcome to the sandbox forum! These forums contain a number of posts dedicated to drafts seeking critique to be able to post their work onto the site, and you're most likely trying to see how you can add to that list. This forum post will act as an introduction to the critique process, outline how you can benefit from the channel, and provide a list of resources that you can look over to make your future Backrooms article as good as it can possibly be.
Required Reading
- Criticism Policy - Outlines rules to follow when giving/getting feedback.
- Image Licensing Guide - Explains image licensing.
- Image Usage Policy - Details how images should be used in your writing.
- Greenlight Policy - Clarifies the page posting process.
- License Box - A required component on all pages.
- Sandbox Site - The Wikidot site that hosts Backrooms drafts.
Additional Reading
- Enhancing Your Draft's Appeal - A guide on improving interest in your writing.
- Format Templates - Templates for the different page types—somewhat outdated.
- Wikidot Styling - A compilation of Wikidot CSS tricks to make your draft more visually appealing.
- Creative Output Management - Tips to avoid exhaustion and insecurity.
- Critique Guide - How to give other writers feedback.
Guidelines
How to receive feedback:
- Each one of your drafts may only have one forum post dedicated to it and vice versa.
- The format is required.
- Drafts must be on a Wikidot Sandbox Site.
- To request a clear, you must have received at least three 500+ character long critiques .
- Once your draft is posted, please edit your post accordingly.
- Make sure your thread title reflects the page's title.
- Prioritize conceptual/format critique over grammar; these often need more changes.
- Do not ask for critique from more than one person at a time.
- Be patient and do not harass anyone who is a part of the critique process.
- It is your responsibility to reach out to critics.
How to give critique:
- Provide constructive feedback with substance—avoid empty comments and small forum replies.
- Stay civil and avoid dogpiling on ongoing discussions.
- Focus criticism on the work, not the author.
- Be honest without sugarcoating; this helps the author recognize areas for improvement.
- Avoid being overly harsh to prevent discouraging the author from seeking more feedback.
- Aim to cover the entirety of a draft. If you can’t, mention the areas you didn’t address.
Template
**Article Link:** [The link to your sandbox site where the article is hosted.]
**Article Title:** [The name of your article; this should include the page type.]
**Sensitive Content:** [Specify mature themes. Optional.]
**Brief Description:** [A brief description of this work, or an excerpt.]
**Critique Focus:** [Describe desired critique; can be specific or vague.]
**Additional Notes/Remarks:** [A statement on this article, essentially. Optional.]The black owl spreads its wings once more.