I can't tell you exactly what the difference is between an average writer, a good writer, and a great writer, but I can usually spot an average writer very quickly; a few paragraphs will usually do. It takes a little longer to spot a good writer; sometimes it takes reading a few articles, sometimes it takes reading dozens, or whole books. Great writers, I don't know; I don't think I can spot them anymore.
I was thinking about it today because I read an Anna Quindlen article this morning that struck me as unusually good, and it's not the first time. She is a very good writer.http://www.brecheen.org/cbrecheen/Entry2001-01-10.htm; © 2001 Cole Brecheen; All Rights Reserved.