Changing Standards

Are we all moving onwards and upwards?
I’m currently writing the second part of my Peace Child trilogy. A couple of years ago now I shared the opening chapter with a high-profile critique group. It was accepted as fine. I’ve since come back to this chapter and found it raw and very much like a first draft. I’ve shared with another critique group since and I’ll be sharing it with a university staff one soon.
Two years ago this chapter seemed polished.
Today it seems raw.
Have we collectively moved on?