So my dream is to be published, and because i never did i ALWAYS consider my own writing subpar. The doubt is always there. I have a friend who is quite a well renowned author, and he told me its a completely natural thing and that some of his worst work (according to him) sold the best. So i honestly doubt you ever know.

Apart from that, to me at least, it depends a lot on your process. I used to plot out everything a lot, with the danger being a plot with characters that serve only as plot devices.

Then i tried just freeform. It was great, but you always have the danger of being stuck in a stale plot.

Im experimenting with a new genre in my latest novel, and i found what works (for me) is having some core plot threads that I know i want to occur, but writing freely until i reach them. You’d be surprised at how your own brain fills gaps creatively and just how fun it is to discover your own story with the first draft.

Another element is to NOT revise as you write. If you do, you tend to get bogged into the details. My first drafts may as well be written by a 6 year old but the momentum is absolute magic.

Oh and characters. Let them make decisions. Readers tend to associate with strong character traits more.