This page provides answers to frequently asked questions for newcomers to Parawatch Wiki. Click the category headings below to expand the corresponding content.
Q: What is Parawatch Wiki?
A: Parawatch Wiki is a fictional literary writing website. We are a group of enthusiasts of internet horror culture who create weird fiction in the form of a “realistic supernatural forum.” Everything on the website, including posts, users, and discussions, is fictional.
Q: So, all the stories above are fake?
A: Yes. All stories are fictional works created by their authors. We have never actually experienced the terrifying events described in our stories, and we hope you never will either.
Q: If they are all fake, why write them in the tone of “real experiences”?
A: Because this is the aesthetic Parawatch Wiki has chosen. We are not trying to simply “tell a ghost story”; we aim for the immersive feeling of “finding a post late at night, reading it, and then wondering whether you can still fall asleep.” Everyone knows the story is fictional, but if the narration is convincing enough, readers can still get goosebumps.
Q: What is the relationship between Parawatch Wiki and the SCP Foundation?
A: Parawatch Wiki is an independent creative platform. We have our own completely independent writing rules, community culture, and standards of evaluation. If you came here from the Foundation, leave project numbers, object classes, containment procedures, and all that behind. Here, you are simply an ordinary internet user, nothing more.
Q: Is this website a role-playing community?
A: No. Parawatch Wiki is not a role-playing website. We do not role-play any “identities” on the site, nor is there such a thing as “I am pretending to be a certain user and making a post.” Writing is writing. We use first-person or third-person narration to create fictional internet horror stories, without involving role-playing. If you are looking for a role-playing community, this is not the place for you.
Q: I have actually experienced some things that are difficult to explain. Can I post them on Parawatch Wiki?
A: No. All articles on Parawatch Wiki must be explicitly fictional literary works. If your experiences are causing you genuine distress, please seek help from a qualified professional in real life. We are only a writing website, not an organization for investigating supernatural phenomena, nor a psychological counseling platform.
Q: Can I use AI to write Parawatch Wiki stories?
A: We do not encourage using AI-generated content as the main body of your work. The core value of this site lies in the original expression of human authors. If an article is proven to have been mostly generated by AI and the author claims it as their original work, the article may be removed. AI may be used as an assisting tool, but it should not replace your own creative work.
Q: What style are Parawatch Wiki articles written in?
A: Our keywords are everyday realism, omission, credibility, and restraint. The horror that fascinates us most often happens in the most ordinary everyday settings, slowly seeps in, and then stops abruptly at the moment when things become most unsettling. For more details on our aesthetic principles, see the relevant section of the Newcomer's Guide.
Q: Do I have to write in the first person?
A: No. First-person narration can create a strong sense of immediacy, while third-person narration can also effectively document internet horror. We encourage diverse writing styles and narrative forms, as long as the work fits Parawatch Wiki's core aesthetic.
Q: Can I write it in the form of chat logs, diaries, or surveillance records?
A: Yes. Forum-post format is our most classic form, but any literary form capable of carrying an atmosphere of internet horror is welcome. As long as it is well written, the format is not a limitation.
Q: Can I write a series of stories?
A: Yes. Many authors have established their own series or settings on Parawatch Wiki. However, each individual article should still be readable on its own and meet the site's quality standards. Do not expect readers to read three prequels before they can understand your fourth installment.
Q: Can I put images in my article?
A: Yes, but please make sure that the images you use are compatible with the site's CC BY-SA 3.0 license, or that they were created by you and you are willing to release them under that license. Using images of unknown origin from the internet may cause copyright issues. It is good practice to credit the image source at the end of the article.
Q: My article is finished, but it is really long. Is that a problem?
A: Length itself is not the problem; the problem is whether the article is dragging. If every paragraph of your long article advances the atmosphere or creates unease, it will be well received. If it contains large amounts of ineffective information, readers may lose patience before the horror arrives. Good horror can be long or short; what matters is proportion.
Q: Why do some older articles I see have a style that differs from the current one?
A: The site's style and standards evolve over time. Early works may differ from the current mainstream aesthetic in certain respects, which is a natural phenomenon in any long-running creative community. We recommend that newcomers use recently published popular works as their primary reference.
Q: How should I start writing my first Parawatch story?
A: Read the most popular works on the site and get a feel for that “voice.” Then choose an everyday setting you are familiar with and imagine what could go wrong there. Start with the mundane, let the unease slowly seep in, and stop at the point where it becomes frightening. When you finish, read it once yourself. If it gives you a slight chill, you are probably heading in the right direction.
Q: What should I check before publishing?
A: At least three things. Check for typos and basic grammatical errors—whether they are serious enough to interfere with reading. Check whether the article fits Parawatch Wiki's stylistic positioning, such as whether you have accidentally written a traditional ghost story or an archival document. Finally, ask yourself: will this make a reader browsing the web late at night finish it and mutter, “Why did I read this before going to bed?” If the answer is yes, publish it.
Q: What if I am criticized after publishing?
A: Your first article probably will not become a site classic, and that is perfectly normal. If a criticism feels useful, remember it. If someone simply says “it's bad,” ask what specifically is wrong. If criticism makes you uncomfortable but is nevertheless reasonable, leave it for a few days and come back to it; you will often gain a lot from it. If you encounter purely malicious attacks, contact the staff.
Q: Can I edit an article after it has been published?
A: Yes. Click “Options” at the bottom right of the post, then click “Edit.” Revising based on reader feedback or your own ideas is part of writing and is encouraged by the site. However, if you make a major change in direction, it is recommended that you explain it in the discussion area so that people who have read the previous version know what you changed.
Q: My article was deleted. Why?
A: Common reasons include a rating remaining below the deletion threshold for an extended period, serious violations of the site rules (such as plagiarism or offensive content), or a style that seriously deviates from Parawatch Wiki's intended direction. If you are unsure why it was deleted, you can politely contact the staff via site mail.
Q: I cannot continue writing halfway through. Can I find someone to co-author it with me?
A: Of course. Many excellent Parawatch articles are collaborative works. If you want to co-author something, you can make a post in the Writing Help forum to look for a partner. Make sure both collaborators clearly communicate about the direction of the story and agree to publish the work under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Q: What are the things I absolutely must not do on Parawatch Wiki?
A: Plagiarism. It is forbidden under any circumstances. Maliciously attacking other users, posting offensive content, and deliberately breaking the site's immersion are also prohibited. For specific pitfalls concerning writing style, see the relevant section of the Newcomer's Guide.
Q: What should I do if I disagree with a staff member's decision?
A: If you believe a staff decision is problematic, you can politely raise your questions and reasons via site mail. Staff are open to rational discussion. Mocking, insulting, or inciting others against staff in public is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action. Every staff member is themselves a trusted user, and when exercising their duties they will clearly mark their posts as “Staff Post” or “Moderation Post.”
Q: What is Karma? Is it important?
A: Karma is a general numerical value on the Wikidot platform that represents a user's activity across the entire Wikidot website. On this site, Karma grants you no privileges or authority. Whether your opinion is taken seriously depends on what you say, not how high your Karma is. Deliberately farming Karma may be treated as a violation.
Q: Why can't I make “spam posts”?
A: Because the Parawatch Wiki discussion area is not a Tieba or an ordinary forum. We want every discussion to provide value to creators or readers. Low-quality posts dilute the quality of community discussion and make genuinely valuable exchanges harder to see.
Q: I made a post. Why was it deleted as a “spam post”?
A: If a post consists only of “good,” “bump,” “support,” pure emoji, or content completely unrelated to the discussion topic, it will be considered a spam post and deleted. Sharing good feedback in the comments can improve the whole community and, in turn, help your own writing.
Q: What happens if I violate the rules?
A: Depending on the severity of the violation, penalties range from warnings and temporary muting to account bans and permanent bans. There is a dedicated Anti-Plagiarism Policy for handling plagiarism.
Q: I saw someone sharing site content off-site and claiming it is real. What should I do?
A: All content on this site is fictional literary work and should not be presented as real events. If you find someone doing so elsewhere, you may clarify its fictional nature to the extent that you can. However, site staff have no jurisdiction over off-site speech unless the behavior directly harms this website. What matters is that we ourselves remain clear-headed: this is a writing website, nothing more.
Q: How do I join Parawatch Wiki?
A: First, you need a Wikidot account, then submit an application according to the instructions on the Join page. The application may require you to answer a few simple questions, so please take it seriously.
Q: What are the requirements for joining?
A: A passion for writing, a willingness to follow the community rules, and meeting the site's minimum age requirement. We care more about an applicant's understanding of the Parawatch Wiki style than their so-called “writing credentials.”
Q: Can I write articles and make posts on my phone?
A: Yes, but the Wikidot platform's mobile experience is not perfect. It is recommended that you complete drafts on your phone and, whenever possible, make final formatting adjustments on a computer. If you are writing a long article, it is recommended that you keep a local backup.
Q: What if I forgot my password?
A: Recover it through Wikidot's password reset function. If your account was created when you applied to this site, the password information should be in the notification email you received at the time. Keep your account information secure.
Q: What is the difference between the Wiki discussion area and the single-page discussion area?
A: The Wiki discussion area is a general public discussion space divided into multiple sections, suitable for comprehensive criticism, writing help, general discussion, and so on. The single-page discussion area is located below each article and is specifically for discussing that article. In the single-page discussion area, it is especially important to provide constructive feedback; general criticism is better suited to the corresponding forum section.
Last updated: 9/1/2026