I think fanfiction is a legitimate stage in this generation's writer's development. Arguably, it's a core skill of writing.
I think any writer on this site that I'd consider "good" started off writing fanfiction. LT did, as he admitted. Scav, arguably the best on this site, did. tmw_redcell and Revolutions (RIP bud) both did. I (I don't consider myself a good writer these days, but I did at one point) also started.
It gives you some core ideas that you can wrestle with. Characters, setting, plot, it gives you those things early writers might have trouble with, and as you build on your skills of executing a good portrayal of a character that isn't yours, you build on your skills at DEVELOPING a character. And from there, through experience (and a little human observation, maybe), you learn to craft or create characters.
On the thing about fanfiction, I offer you this: A common way to get a job in Hollywood as a screenwriter? If you're lucky, you might find an agent, and that agent might find you a studio company looking for [insert description of plot, with comparisons of three successful such films]. Your skills at transplanting your own inner awesome into material that's not all yours suddenly become crucial.
Or better yet, what if you wanted a job at ABC on their writing staff? You might have an agent send them a hypothetical monologue for Kimmel, or maybe you'll write a few episodes of Lost.
In fact, you could end up writing for a network and plunked into a spot on the writing staff of a show you don't even like or know anything about! Boy howdy do those skills suddenly become important.
That's right, I highjacked your thread into a discussion of why fanfiction is nothing to be ashamed of.
For you: I had the same problem, and the problem will persist if you have zero experience and attempt to write. Trust me on that one. Writing is not like riding a bike. Having the balls to take the training wheels off and 20 minutes to kill is not all it takes. I say start thinking of shorter, non-dream-project concepts first that you feel just as passionate about and write a lot of short stories. Like, a lot.
The last time I attempted to write a novel -- and this was back when I considered myself a good writer -- it started out well, but I found myself unable to maintain the quality standard and passion I was expecting of myself. My conclusion? I'm still not ready, and so here I am, writing short stories until I feel like I've "got it" again.
