[quote=@Maglar]
Follow up question, what do you think makes for a most successful GM?
[/quote]
Patience, Luck, and Chemistry.

[i]But mostly luck.[/i]

To expand on this, GMing is just the science of circumstance, timing, and planning. Planning too much dooms yourself to fail and expecting everything to go to plan will never ever happen. You’ve got to have a group you have chemistry with and a mutual sense of patience. Maintaining interest isn’t determined by constant activity (though it does help) but rather the will of the community. As a GM you are a director that needs to have a finger on the pulse, but even if you have that down… it’s mostly luck and circumstances aligning.