Someone asked you why you’re writing a novel and you stammered through an answer about maybe wanting to publish someday, or thinking you might have something important to say, or how it’s always been a dream of yours.

But the truth is simpler: You’re writing because you want to. Because it’s fun. Because it makes you happy.

You’re allowed to say that.

Writing doesn’t have to be your calling or your career or your contribution to literature. It can just be something you enjoy doing, like baking bread or learning piano or training for a 5K. You don’t have to justify why you spend your evenings making up stories any more than you have to justify why you spend them watching movies or reading books or playing video games.

Some people write because they feel compelled to change the world. Some write because they have important messages to share. Some write because they want to make a living with words.

And some people write because it’s satisfying to create characters and watch them navigate the problems you invent for them. Because it’s fun to explore “what if” scenarios. Because there’s something deeply pleasurable about finding exactly the right word or crafting a sentence that says precisely what you mean.

All of these are valid reasons to write.

Your novel doesn’t have to earn its existence by being profound or publishable or perfect. It can earn its existence simply by bringing you joy, by giving you a creative outlet, by providing a few hours of escape from your regular life.

The world is full of people who gave up on creative pursuits because they thought those pursuits had to lead somewhere, or had to be done in pursuit of the almighty dollar. But personal satisfaction is enough. Joy is enough. Fun is enough.

You’re allowed to write a novel for the same reason people do crossword puzzles or plant gardens or learn to juggle—because you want to, because it brings you pleasure, because it makes your life a little richer.

That’s not a lesser reason to write. It might be the best reason of all.

So go open your draft and do it.