If writing can be judged from 1-10, I use to work on a 2-3 level: Lots of emotion, lots or raw text. No spell check. No semblance of order. No proper sentences. I wrote for me, no one else. I didn't correct my work. I actually didn't know how anyway. And didn't want to know or learn. My short stories needed so much work that they were more ideas rather than stories.
After writing and correcting my first novel through 4 drafts I entered level 5.
Then a friend studying writing, ripped through my work, I was then at level 7, and stayed there until I received feedback from a NZ publisher and Stringybark. After that I had to study and learn how to write even better. Now I believe my work ranges around 8-9 and sometimes dips into 10. And I think that anything below 8 isn't publishable. However, even 8 is touch and go.
My advice to anyone and everyone is to get some 'real' critiquing done so that you approach even a 5-7 standard, at this level people can enjoy your work when they read it rather than stumbling over the faulty mechanics of your writing.
