The process of transferring what you hear to paper is not always reliable.
I explained to a student this week, as he shared a composition, that I didn’t think he had written down what he heard. The translation from ear to pen always comes with mistakes – and especially early in our growth period, as we are still learning the craft and the translation process.
For me, when I arrange I can usually get close to a correct translation on the first pass. Now. When I was in college, it took many passes, many instances of me thinking I had it correct, only to find lots of metaphorical red ink when an experienced teacher looked it over. Even now, when I play new compositions for my wife, she will often say, “I’m not sure that’s what you mean,” or, “That doesn’t quite work.” In both of those cases, I can revisit it and make corrections based on slow re-listening to my ear.
My recommendation for young composers is to find people they trust to listen and offer suggestions. Take or leave the suggestions, but recognize that the intent is always to help the composition get closer to what you heard in the first place, before pen met paper.