Glad to see you are happier about your writing today.
But I do think that the ability? discipline? to keep plugging away on a story, even when it isn't exactly fun is what separates the authors, the ones who get published anyway, from the dabblers.
But take that with a grain or a pound of salt if you will.

Totally uninformed, probably uninspiring thought (don't I sound like an elder aunt, bun and wire framed glasses and all? )

ktm