I don't really think determination is the magic ingredient. Personally I think the process of writing software is very similar to writing a song. (is anybody here also a songwriter)? Because if you try to write a song before you're ready, it just doesn't work no matter how hard you try, but once the idea has fully formed inside your head, it's as if the song writes itself, i think software is the same way. i remember hearing jobs talk about how a lot of the A players would also write poetry.

when i think of A players i always think of the musician who is able to improvise with another A musician instinctively, without needed time to rehearse. A players are able to communicate faster with each other than with B or C players. a so-called "A" player who has a big ego and can't play with others isn't actually an A player, but has managed to convince others (and himself) that he is.

seriously, if you want to become a better hacker, learn how to write a song, it's pure creation (or try painting, but songwriting is more creative imo)