WANT MORE DRAFT REVIEWS?
Here are two draft thread examples. Can you tell which one a reviewer would probably be more interested in reviewing?
The second thread is objectively more unique and well thought-out. Accordingly, here are so quick things to do when posting a draft thread to attract reviewers:
- If you're a new writer, get your ideas reviewed first in the Ideas Critique forum or the IRC chatrooms!
- Ideally, you should make sure that the audience thinks your idea is fresh and interesting before you ask people to read a full draft.
- Remember that first-time authors must have two greenlights: http://www.scp-wiki.net/forum/t-10629348/new-draft-forum-policies from reviewers before they can post a thread here!
- Use an interesting thread title! Everyone already knows that the draft forum is for people seeking critique on a draft, and whether this is your first article ever or your third tale isn't super important.
- Use the title to grab a reviewer's attention with what makes your draft unique, rather than a title that gets lots amid the shuffle of everyone else asking for the same thing.
- Write a short thread description! If your thread description is overly long, it might make a reviewer hesitant because your draft may be similarly bloated with text. Keep it short and simple!
- Give a brief summary of your draft! Reviewers will be more likely to pass over generic-looking threads, while summaries that match their interests will draw attention much faster.
- Mention some specific concerns! This helps a reviewer orient themselves with how to best assist you with your specific draft.
- Go easy on the questions. Asking for a ton of specific things for a reviewer to look at right off the bat, especially on longer drafts, can make it difficult for a reviewer to critique fluently if they need to constantly double check your list as they read.
- Make sure your draft is free of simple errors! The messier a draft is and the more simple writing errors you have, the less likely a reviewer will be interested in critiquing. Basic formatting, grammar, and mechanics should be done well by the author without needing extra guidance.
- For general writing resources, consult this thread: http://www.scp-wiki.net/forum/t-871935/general-writing-resource-thread
- Thank your reviewer! Not necessarily a requirement, but when reviewers are unpaid volunteers working off their own free time to do favors, the more pleasant an author is the more willing people will be to help them out.
