I think it's very clear how LKH has managed to regress. She used to thank her writing group for their help on her books. That was back when she still believed she was a mere mortal, and her work could actually benefit from criticism by other human beings. Back when she actually solicited criticism and considered it (however ungraciously I suspect she did so).

This was back before she became a Big Name Author and could dispense with them (and with editors). And to the degree that she has cut her ties with anyone and everyone who was willing and able to provide guidance, her work has increasingly sucked.

At this point she doesn't even take her OWN advice. She _knows_ she ought to be maintaining a bible for her series. But she doesn't.