Writing is thinking so see how it writes.
One challenge I regularly see in student writing AND my own writing projects is believing that if I can figure it out in my head the first draft should be perfect (or close to it). That’s an unreasonable expectation.
Don’t get me wrong, deep thinking leads to stronger writing.
But writing is also an exercise in thinking. In my own work I have found I need structure to start but I only see the shortcomings and breakthroughs when I try to put into something on paper and get out of my head.
The hard part is this takes more time. The cool part about this approach is it should lower the stakes of Draft 0. That one’s for you. The next draft is for the audience.
Trying to commit to this approach in my own writing projects and maybe you’ll do the same.