I came here on the recommendation of a fellow writer and online friend only a month after I started writing. Had I not had the support of this community and the ability to come here for advice, I probably would have quit writing after a couple months just out of frustration and not knowing where to find answers. I certainly wouldn't have eventually decided to own my status as a writer and make it more than a hobby. I truly can't imagine what my life would be like without writing, and I heavily credit AW for helping me reach this point.
I really just want to see the site keep going and be able to come here to find writing and publishing advice I and others might struggle to find otherwise. There's also the community aspect I love so much. These days, due partly to my problems getting focused on writing if I let myself click around online too much, and partly to how I'm most comfortable interacting with a smaller group of people I've gotten to know as opposed to a larger group I don't know well at all, I mostly just post in the Cantina Thread in SFF, and the Royalty Thread here in Office Party. However, I still read other parts of the board and occasionally post as needed, especially in the "General Writing Interest" area, "Research", the entire "Publishing" section, "Bewares, Recommendations, & Background Check". While I haven't specifically used SYW for myself, I have on occasion posted a crit for someone else, and I love that it's available.
This site is truly worth it's weight in gold and I hope it stays around for another 20 years as well. Thank you, Mac, and others who help with running the site, for all the hard work you do.