Can one write purely by instinct?

I'm throwing this bone out there for your delectation, because I'm divided in my own mind. The issue came up just a few hours before, when I read through the recent thread about 'antagonists' vs. 'villains'.

Now, it's not a secret that I am quite stubborn and like to batter my own way through whichever wall may stand in my way. In terms of writing this means that I shun writing-guide books. I've tried a few times to read them, because it would be smart to use guidance if it's offered, but broke off every time—and not because the book didn't give good advice. I just can't seem to make myself accept someone/something as a 'teacher'. I need to find my own way—which is not the wisest or easiest path, but oh well. That's just me.

But what I do when I have a specific question or stumble over a new concept, I read up on it from different sources. Blogs, forums, whatever I find. But I only do this when I am curious about a specific aspect—which has the drawback that, if I don't know to ask the question, I am not inclined to look for an answer.

So it boils down to that I write by instinct. Ever have been, probably will do forever. Granted, in the meantime there have been a lot of questions that have occurred to me and for which I've found answers, but they are probably only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Anyway, back to protagonists and antagonists. A great post prodded me to examine how my MCs relate to each other, and—lo and behold—my two MCs have the exact markings of mutual antagonists. I've certainly not planned it that way, because I didn't think that there'd be a concept for what I did do with their characters. They just came out this way. My gut told me what was required and I fiddled around until it felt 'right'. It's not the first time it has happened that I've found a concept and recognised the way I've applied it throughout my story.

Even if I'm not inclined to accept writing 'teachings', I'm relieved to see that there's a concept for what I'm doing. That others have done the same thing and I'm not going where no one has gone before. I'm not an oddball (or not only). But at the same time, the realisation that, when I'm actually managing to write the d** thing of a story good, I'll do it only flying by the seat of my pants and not by conscious brilliance. Hah. I guess this all boils down to self-doubt, but don't fear for me, I've got a thick skull.