How does a writer get to that moment when he or she realises that they now have their own style, a unique way of saying something?

No idea. I imagine some never do, some start out with a recognisably unique style from the off, and the rest of us gradually sort ourselves out over time. I suspect it's one of those objective judgements that the writer concerned is probably least qualified to make.

Have there been particular positive and/or negative results for the publishing industry – and writers – in the current financial climate?

I don't know. Not so far, personally. I guess that might change when my agent comes to negotiate the next book deal...