What make the difference between good and great writing?

Obviously,  there is talent involved.  However,  the ability to form sentences accompanied with a certain amount of creativity,  is only part of the necessary formula.   There is another factor that seems obvious but is often neglected by new writers.   Not being aware of this can cause hours or years of frustrating attempts at getting the "spark," (for want of a better term),  that it takes to keep at it until it works.   

This factor, simply put, is to write what you know.   This is not saying that you should only write about subjects on which you have a wealth of intellectual knowledge.   "Knowing", in this case should be interpreted in a wider sense.   Expressed another way,  "write where your heart is".  

When you began a story do you care about what happens to the characters?  Do you visualize the events in your story?   Do you feel excited when considering the possibilities available to you?   Regardless of your situation, these possibilities are endless.    Think on that for a moment.    You have the opportunity to be God for precisely the length of your story.   You have the power to form  any character or characters, in any setting that your mind can conceive.   Once formed,  these characters become your puppets, forced to perform any act, however heinous or blessed that you chose.    

The secret of great writing is really about doing whatever it takes to release your mind and become aware of the freedom that is available to you.