This is an interesting discussion and I agree with the OP on the placement issue.
But what the hoo, what the hay, what the diggledy-daggeldy day. The discussion thus far is quite interesting.
Can natural talent be improved upon? is an interesting question.
I think if one looks at, say Robert Silverberg, one can definitely say he blossomed in the 70s and became an important writer of genre fiction. He improved in his ability to tell a story and to move his characters upon the stage.
One could even argue for the late- lamented boob-trespassing, microphone-engorging Harlan Ellison. (Although, in my opinion, age and incipient senility finally caught up with him.)
Moving out of the 'SF gutter', mainstream authors too can improve upon their storytelling - when money doesn't get in the way.
