The author will always care about her book more than her publisher.

The musician will always care more about his songs than his record company.

The artist will always care more about her painting than the gallery showing it.

The director will always care more about his movie than the studio.

Except when these creative types decide to mail it in. This can happen when they get big advances–or when they sign big contracts loaded with guarantees.

These rewards can weaken the incentive for the artist to create truly great work. They can enervate. They can sate the hunger.

No matter how much success you have, never lose the desire to produce great work.