I can see two ways to attack a problem like this: Find some middle ground, or go cold turkey.
First, figure out what it is you like to write. Not the particular fandom, but what about it/them you like. Be generic: Do you like the suspense? Romance? Intricately plotted story arcs? Well-rounded, believable characters?
Make a list, make it as long as you need to. Then, do the same for the types of characters you are most attracted to writing about, the types of settings, historical periods, whatever details you can break down and qualify and quantify.
You need to develop some sense of who you are as a writer and what part of the landscape you are going to claim as your own.
Then, try this middle ground method: Write a fanfic based in your current world of interest. Write your heart out, from beginning to middle to end. Then, “file off the serial numbers” and turn it into a unique world/setting with a unique cast of characters such that copyright lawyers cannot come after you. Change names, alter ages, write it in a completely new setting or alternate universe. It may suck, but that’s fine. You really are just stretching your muscles. Don’t expect to complete a full Olympian workout just yet.
Or, try the cold turkey method: Take your list of likes and start picking names out of a hat or an online generator; choose one setting you like. Pick a plot from this list or some other like it. Write a few paragraphs summarizing the story, like you’re telling it as a bedtime story to a child and you only have 5 minutes before your 8 pm show begins.
When you find a story that piques your interest, start writing. Write a drabble or flash fiction or short story if that helps, or dive head first into a novel.
– Aliya
Can I add on to this? I’m in a slightly different boat, illustrating instead of writing, but I kind of saw my own reflection in that ask!
I was (still am) doing some illustrations for my capstone project (I need it to graduate), but all I wanted to draw was fan art. I didn’t want to use fan art for my project, however, as I felt it wouldn’t fit the guidelines my school set. The schedule I ended up working with was that Monday through Friday, I was working on my capstone illustrations. However, because fan art fuels me so much, I had the weekend to doodle all the fan art I wanted to.
It was hard to get used to at first, but I’ve found over the past two months that I’ve gotten more excited for my capstone. Figuring out a schedule reaaaally helped me!
Of course, I have the problem of a due date for my project, which is why I allowed myself more time on it than fan stuff. You could spend half the week on originals, half on fan stuff, or you could keep track of how many words you’ve written for one and only write for the other until theyre the same.
This all takes place after you have an idea, though. Good luck!
Thanks for that add! Nothing wrong with scheduling your “fun” work at all!
– Aliya