the book you want to write and the book you actually write

In Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones, she talks about celebrating both the book that you wanted to write—that you were inspired to write—but also the book that actually shows up when you sit and put words down. They are not the same thing, and to treat them the same is to likely set yourself up for disappointment.

When I create a book idea in my head, I have this vision of a novel that will make the reader feel a certain way. It will be about *idea* and will have *character* and some sort of *meaning*. It’s glorious. It’s perfect. It’s mine.

But what really shows up is whatever I happen to write down the days that I write the book. And that may or may not look anything like what I originally thought it would look like.

I think all writers—creators—feel this to some degree: the disconnect between vision and reality. We go chasing the vision, needing to close the gap between that and the reality. It’s probably an ever-present quest.

But what I like about Goldberg’s comment is to celebrate what actually shows up. Don’t spend so much time comparing it to what it could have been. Just enjoy it for what it is. That day’s writing. That project.

And then go on to the next day of writing.