I think you've hit upon something important tim.
For any artist, and by that I mean writer, painter, musician, actor, being able to step back and put something you've worked on, on hold, I think is a sign of growth.
The ability to learn is ongoing. I just turned 53 last week and I hope I have many years of learning ahead of me. Knowledge is powerful. If you have to put something aside for the sake of being able to go back to it and learn why it's good, bad, how it can be improved, or if it needs to be deleted, then no matter what you've learned something.
I just finished a story today. It was the first story that I had an editor from start to finish. She was great to work with, did not hold back on constructive criticism, made great suggestions on how to word something just a little differently so that it flowed better. She also taught me that I have a serious mental block when it comes to commas. (I honestly don't know why I forget them so often). I'm rambling, sorry. The gist of it is, I learned a lot by stepping back and letting someone else take a look. When I got stuck, she waited patiently, occasionally bounced ideas back and forth until the cogs started moving again. I truly appreciate the help and I believe the story came out better because of it.
Stephen King is my all-time favorite author. The man is incredible when it comes to weaving stories and interweaving multiple books. The Dark Tower series blew me away with how he connected so many of his works. Pure. Genius. I've not read On Writing , but I think I may have to. I'm sure I will learn from it.
As always, thanks for your thoughts. They always make me think. 😉
But i try to do the best i can, with what i have. ....and you succeed quite well tim.
Have a good evening.