It could also be that in a superhero fanfiction, the superhero has a weighty problem such as having to choose between saving a large number of people in a city or preventing a global catastrophe that requires their immediate attention elsewhere.
Perhaps it's a problem related to the magical creatures in the Harry Potter universe. Say, there's a new law proposed that would greatly restrict the rights of house - elves. This could be a weighty problem as it involves moral, social, and political aspects within the wizarding world. Some characters might be for it, believing it's for the greater good, while others would fight against it, seeing it as an act of oppression. This would create a lot of conflict and drama in the fanfiction.
Begin by choosing the setting of your fanfiction. Let's say it's a Game of Thrones fanfiction. You might want to set it in a particular region where a weighty problem is emerging, like a new plague that is spreading. Then, create characters that will be affected by this problem. They could be new characters or existing ones. Next, plan out how these characters will react and try to solve the problem. For example, will they seek help from a maester or try to find a magical cure on their own?
In some fanfictions, the problem of identity can be weighty. For instance, if a character suddenly discovers that they are related to a dark wizard from the past. This could lead to them being ostracized by their friends and facing a lot of internal turmoil. They have to decide whether to embrace this new - found identity or fight against it, which is no easy feat.
It could be about a minor issue that Merlin faces in Camelot. Maybe it's a small spell - casting mishap that causes some comical chaos in the court. For example, he accidentally turns Arthur's hair pink while trying to do a simple cleaning spell on his chambers.
The short story might revolve around a group of chess enthusiasts who are challenged with a seemingly unsolvable chess problem. They each bring their own unique approach and knowledge to the table, leading to a series of interesting discussions and attempts at solving it, which in turn reveals a lot about their characters and relationships.
It could be about a day full of solving various math problems. Maybe it starts with a simple arithmetic problem in the morning, like 2 + 3, and then progresses to more complex ones such as quadratic equations during the day. It might also include stories of students struggling or having epiphanies while dealing with math problems.
Perhaps it's a story where the family has a square - shaped garden and there are issues in it. For example, some family members want to plant flowers, others want to grow vegetables, but the square shape limits how they can divide the area. Also, it could be about a family feud over who gets to take care of the square garden.
One could be about a person struggling to find a job in a tough economy. They face rejections and self-doubt but eventually overcome it through perseverance and new skills.
It might be a conflict between the main characters. Maybe they have different goals or values that cause tension.
Perhaps the man has a relationship problem. Like, he's in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way or is having trouble communicating with his partner.