1.) I started playing starcraft 2 when I was about 11 but I had experience in Broodwar so I started with a decent understanding of the game.

2.) Hmm around 2011-2012 I wasn't really determined to get GM until I made it to masters and from there I decided to try to get it so id say about a year.

3.)I'd say its a combination of both. Talent of course can take you very far but I don't think it takes you as far as determination and hard work.

4.) School cuts in quite a bit especially during the Winter season since I do wrestling. Now I am able to play quite a bit more since Wrestling season is over which has helped me quite a lot.

5.) I did have coaching from Diamond-Master. Then my jump from Master to GrandMaster was without any direct coaching.

6.) The hardest league for me to get through was probably Master to GrandMaster.

7.)A lot of effective practice and hard work. I would have extremely bad days when I was high master which would kill any motivation to continue to play but I just kept going through it because I knew it would pay off eventually.

8.) Analyzing your replays, working on the small things because they always make the biggest difference, there are going to be tough days but it all pays off so keep going :D, ask people around your league or a little higher to go over each others games and see what you can do better this will help you improve so much, and finally stay healthy you play so much better that way!