I think most fantasy readers, at one point or another, can’t help but wonder if they should pick up a pen and start bringing the stories in their heads to life. But is writing fantasy worth it, or is fiction a waste of time?

Why Do You Want to Write Fantasy?

Before you can even begin to find the answer to whether writing fantasy is worth it for you or not, you have to determine why you want to write and what you want to get out of it.

Let’s start with your why. You might have more than one, so a good place to start is to write out a full list of every reason you can think of why you might want to be a fantasy writer. For example, when I first started writing, some of my reasons for writing included wanting to:

• Do something productive with all the stories cluttering up my brain space
• Bring the characters in my head to life
• Inspire others the way my favorite fantasy authors inspired me
• Do something creative for a living
• Work remotely and on a flexible schedule
• Work in a largely solitary environment
• Defy “the man” by living out my dreams of a bohemian lifestyle

Obviously, some of these reasons were better than others. That’s okay. It’s good to know yourself, so be sure to list out all of your reasons, no matter how ridiculous, for that first list.

Once you’ve got all your reasons out where you can see them, start thinking about which ones mean the most to you. You might spot multiple variations of the same basic reason on your list—that’s usually a pretty good indicator. Or you might have to sit down with your list for a while and feel it out—in the words of Marie Kondo, which ones spark the most joy? (Alternatively, which ones would hurt the most if you couldn’t realize them?)

Try to narrow it down to one to three big reasons. For me, my absolute “must” is that third one—my favorite fantasy authors have inspired me not just to write, but to do so much more. To follow my dreams, to be true to myself, to never give up—to hold onto hope no matter what. These gifts are precious beyond measure, and to be able to pass them on to others like me—no matter how many or few—keeps me writing and publishing when nothing else will.

What Do You Want to Get Out of Writing Fantasy?

This is a little different than your why. What benefits do you hope to gain from writing (fantasy, in particular)? These might be material rewards, such as money, or more intangible things like fame or creative fulfillment. Again, I think the best method here is to write down everything that comes to mind—not what you think you will get from writing, but what you would like to get out of it, if possible.

Again, my original list included things like:

• Enough money to live off of comfortably
• A community of fans and fellow fantasy writers to connect with
• Creative and intellectual satisfaction
• A sense of “fun”—work that feels more like play
• Books on shelves with my name on them
• The warm, fuzzy feeling of giving back to the world in my own way

Let’s do the same thing as before—write it all out first, everything that comes to mind, and then see if you can narrow the list down to just a few items that you find the most motivating.

So Is Writing Fantasy Worth It For You?

Now for the hard part. To answer the question, “Is writing fantasy worth it?” you’ll first have to ask yourself a few other questions and consider where they lead you.

First, take a look at your top “whys” and the rewards you’re most interested in. Do they make sense together, or are you asking something from your fiction that you might be happier finding elsewhere?

For example, if you want to write fantasy because you enjoy reading it, but what you really want to get out of it is wealth and fame, these two don’t necessarily match up well. It’s notoriously hard for authors, especially fantasy authors, to make a living relying solely on their fiction, so if what you really want the most is to get rich and live the high life, there are other, much more reliable ways to do so.

However, it is possible to make a living as a writer, of fantasy or otherwise. Brandon Sanderson did it. Margaret Atwood did it. I’m working on it as we speak. And you can, too. But it’s important that you’re motivated by more than just the money. Making a living off of your writing should be secondary to a more personal want, like making a difference, bringing important topics to light in a new way, or simply spending more time doing what you love.

There Are Other Options Besides “Yes” or “No”

You also have the option to write fantasy as a hobby, rather than a profession. Ask yourself how much you want to write, and how often. If you’re satisfied just scribbling down a poem whenever the mood strikes or just writing a couple of paragraphs here and there, don’t force yourself to write more unless you really want to. It’s perfectly valid—and makes you no less of a writer or creative person—if you want to write on the side, rather than as your main career.

Finally, keep in mind that your options aren’t necessarily “write or don’t write.” You can always try it out first, a little at a time, to see how it feels. This might change your list of reasons for writing or what you want to get out of it—if you’re still interested in writing fantasy once you’ve tried it, be sure to revisit those lists and see if your top priorities have changed.

In fact, even if you do decide writing fantasy is worth it for you, it’s a good idea to revisit these lists and review your options every once in a while. Not everyone wants to do the same thing every day for the rest of their lives, and it’s okay if you change your mind later on, even if it happens more than once. It’s better to know yourself, and what you want, than to live in a daze feeling stuck on a path that may no longer be right for you.

And if it turns out, at any point, that writing fantasy isn’t worth it for you, chin up—there are always more books to read!

Kim Berkley is an author and narrative designer who, obviously, thinks writing fantasy is a pretty worthwhile pursuit. Her published works include interactive stories such as The Harbinger’s Head and chiaroscuro.