Swimming in Novel...

So I've been swimming in my novel the past few days, everything from outlining to character sketches to working through "Living Write". And I've come to a few harsh realizations.
One, That I am sadly lacking in education to conquer a novel. Sure, I've done it twice before, but I'm talking more about quality here. I haven't had much college experience, and let's be honest, who expects a high schooler to take a class on writing a novel!
Let's make something crystal-clear here. I don't want to just "write a novel" I want to have it published. And not self-published either. Eventually I want to be on the best-seller list. Then I want to be like Ted Dekker who sits at home all day and writes. Gee I envy that man.
I. Love. To. Write. That's why I have two blogs. I love to write about anything and everything. But I'm terribly afraid that, for lack of education, my writing is trash. That, my friend, is my biggest fear. And let me also point out that I'm not referring to the fact that I was home schooled as lack of education. No, the blame lays all on my head alone. I could have gotten involved with Nano(National Novel Writing Month) a lot sooner. I could have read more in high school. But the facts are clear. I didn't.

But I'm not here to look at the past. I''m hear to look at my today. I realize that -
* I'm lacking in education in what's popular with teenagers right now. What style of writing do they enjoy?
Answer: I went to the library and checked out three books to add to my 100 day plan. Note: my library is extremely limited and the books that I really wanted to read weren't there. :( Inkheart by Cornella Funke (Loved the movie, so I should love the book!), Stormbreaker by NYT best-seller Anthony Horowitz, and Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan.

* I'm lacking in writing education
Answer: Going through the creative writing books I already have to help prepare myself for a critique group. Join a critique group. Take writing classes.

That's it, me thinks.
Okay, I'm going back to writing about my poor, twisted Ava.

Cheers!