Writing does not have to be a chore. It becomes fun when you take the not-so-fun parts out of it: stop chasing perfect originality, write about what you care about, leave the grammar for later, go outside, and read a lot.
"Writing is a chore." Ask any schoolchild how they like writing, and that is the answer you will probably get. Unfortunately, for some people this view sticks into adulthood. It is surprising how many adults still think of writing as a chore, or even as a punishment.
It doesn't have to be that way. Writing can be fun if you make it so.
How to make writing fun
What makes writing fun? The answer differs from one writer to the next. But it is easy to conclude that to keep writing fun, you only need to take the not-so-fun parts out of it.
Don't strive for originality
There are billions of people on this planet. Even if you are one in a million, thousands of other people think like you. Trying to be 100% original is very hard, if not impossible.
So instead of wasting your time aiming for the impossible, let yourself be a channel for all kinds of creative ideas. Mix and match topics to your liking and add your own spin, but take it easy when the result is not as original as you thought.
Write about something you care about
The problem with writing assignments at school is that teachers often ask students to write about things the students could not care less about. And it shows. In the end, teachers just skim their students' essays, because each one is as boring as the one before.
Keep yourself going by writing about things you do care about. When you are naturally curious and excited about a topic, new questions pop up all the time. Then it is time to play detective and uncover the truth about whatever you are writing about.
Forget about writing well
Trying to follow every style and grammar rule while you write is exhausting. It is like driving on the highway and being pulled over every half mile: it drives you crazy.
Of course, if you plan to publish your writing, you still need to proofread it, and the Spell Checker can help with that. For now, keep the grammar police locked in a glass prison deep in the dungeon of your mind, and let them out only when you are done writing. Don't lose your inspiration explains why it pays to keep writing and proofreading apart.
Go out and observe
Staying cooped up in your room is bad for you. Yes, some writers prefer to sit still when they write, but that is not for everyone.
Go out, take a walk, and observe the world around you. Fun and interesting things are going on in your neighborhood right now, and you can't catch them while you sit behind a desk. Open all your senses and notice the little things. You will collect ideas in no time. For more places to look, read where to find ideas to write about.
Read a lot
Every day, find and read a short story or a poem. Enthusiasm is contagious: when you read the work of others, you let their interests, curiosity, and experiences flow into your own writing.
Keep the fire burning
Writing is fun, or at least it should be once you take the stressful parts out. Whether you write as a hobby or have a publication in mind, it is all right not to be perfect.
Like everything else, the novelty of writing wears off over time. When you find writing less fun than it used to be, come back to the tips above to keep the fire burning.