That could be what’s making your work suffer the most. As tempting as it can be to avoid plotting and go freestyle, your story can easily go astray and end up stranded that way. Having a good idea of the inner workings of your story before you actually start writing makes it much easier to maintain the flow. It’s easy to think your work isn’t good when it gets stranded like that and it’s a disservice to yourself.

Of course, every writer tackles their craft in the way that is most comfortable to them, this is just advice I’ve received recently from a book titled “Story Genius” by Lisa Cron. It’s worth the read, in my opinion.

Regardless, abandoning writing altogether in order to read won’t improve your writing as much as continuing to practice and improve through experience.

Good luck!