grub

I wrote the first draft of my first novel in 1998 and sent out a submission package to agents on the back of it. I received 30 rejections and today I can see and understand why.
Following a move to Cornwall writing took a back seat to life in general. But it wouldn't go away and it wasn't until 2017, after teaching for ten years and gaining a BA(Hons) and MA that I managed to find an editor (at cost).
I published two collections of horror short stories, A Trick of the Tale and A Body Parts & Other Anatomies, as well as a novella, Syngamy with Amazon KDP.
In April 2020 I began sending out a submission package to agents that featured my crime series, Cold Fire and the protagonist, DCI Adam Furness. So far I've had 5 rejections, 4 no replies and am currently waiting on 3 recent submissions.
My writing has improved considerably and having read ten contemporary crime novels recently I think my novel fares favourably under that type of scrutiny. In fact, I've critiqued the crime novels I've read and I have some issues with all of them. This is a very subjective industry with very wide likes and dislikes.
To be successful not only must you write original material, with proper structure, characters and plot, but you also need luck as well. Luck that your submission will land on the right agents desk, at the right time for your take on the genre you write in to be readable and saleable. But even then you might not be successful.
If you continue writing, because you have no choice, even after rejections then you have a chance, a slim chance, but a chance. After all, if you stop writing, stop sending your material out to agents, you won't ever succeed.
Keep the faith, believe in yourself.