Hmmm, reading this gave me a few spontaneous ideas on how I'd like to write a novel and put my own personal spin on it if I ever did write a novel. After all, he who is a critic must have a clear understanding of what a novel is lacking or overdoing to be able to point it out. From the standpoint of a reader, I'm sure there's some wisdom for a writer to be gleaned from and gained. Who knows maybe you should try to read other novels and look at it from different perspectives, what do you like about them, what are they missing, what are they over-exhausting, what would you do if you were their shoes in regards to specific chapters, character evolution, or arc development.
I think that you're not confident enough in your own opinion and the countless possibilities to be able to press forward, that's why you asked for others opinions originally out of anxiety. Not that I'm saying you shouldn't listen to the opinion of others, that's a critical thing a writer has to have, no one likes a jackass who doesn't listen to others and their critiques. In any case, just keep doing what you're doing and slowly gain experience, level up and if that doesn't work change your grinding spot and use different tactics such as kiting.
Then again I haven't slept for two days nor have I properly written a novel before so I might just be rambling nonsense -shrugs-
