You can always do small vignettes! Epic AU works are awesome, but they're a hell of a commitment, and, as you say, plot can be really really hard, especially on a large scale. Go with what works for you!

And welcome to the fandom! If you're a fan of theatre/Shakespeare at all, you should put Slings & Arrows on your list, too. It is smart, fun, and Paul Gross' Geoffrey is AMAZING. (FWIW, the first episode is the most, ah, problematic? of the lot, as they're setting so much up. After that, it's soooo good.)