OMGee, this is almost exactly the same experience I had with red accounts! When I started out, I had the same problem with trying too hard to change my writing style so people wouldn’t guess it was me playing, but it eventually got to the point that no matter how hard I tried, my own style would come through, so I stopped trying to hide it. Another problem I’ve had with the red accounts is playing the Harry Potter canon characters (the ghosts, Peeves, creature accounts, etc.). There’s already an expectation of how they’re supposed to act, and I’d get so wrapped up in sticking to canon that it was impossible to put my own spin on them. To this day, I don’t particularly enjoy playing red accounts (unless it’s a charrie that I had some hand in creating), but I try to put those feelings aside as much as possible.

I think my struggle with red accounts goes back to a much bigger problem I have stepping outside my comfort zone. I already touched on this in another thread, but I can’t play a charrie I don’t relate to! One thing I’ve tried is looking at those charries from a different perspective. Sometimes that helps me find something relatable about them; sometimes it doesn't. When that doesn’t work, the charrie never sticks. I find when I try to force myself to play somebody I don’t understand, the quality of my writing suffers. Those posts tend to be much shorter, and I feel the charries’ thoughts and emotions don’t ring true. Then I get annoyed with myself for not posting my best work, and it’s a mess.

I’m not sure I’m the right person to offer advice since it’s something I still struggle with, but one thing I’ve learned from my experience is don’t try to force yourself into something that doesn’t feel right. RPing isn’t and shouldn’t be a competition to see who can jump the farthest outside one’s comfort zone the fastest. If you feel ready to make that step, that’s great! If you don't, that’s okay too. You’ll get there in time; just be patient with yourself and keep trying.