Your words are ringing loudly in my ears. I began to write about a topic I was passionate about many years ago. I thought I had to get educated, so I spent 6 years on advanced degrees and developing my knowledge of my topic. Altogether, I have 14 years, countless hours, and thousands of dollars invested in this "book." The problem is, I just have words on paper and a dry thesis. I've had other opportunities to write, but I consider those just practice for my real project. Thank you for the advice you've given here- I needed to read this.
I hope you can write every day, now that you realize the steps must be taken to get to your destination :)
Let me know when your book is published. I'd like to read it if it interested me of course, lol, but I'll also post it in my writers groups.