The writing process has lately been getting much attention in our conventions and publications. Psycholinguists and composition investigators have uncovered fascinating insights into the composing processes of both students and professional authors. As yet though, what goes on in a writer's mind remains essentially a black box. And I'm not convinced that what has so far been discovered is concrete enough to enter our textbooks and teaching methods. But it has entered-ready or not.
Process is idiosyncratic.
Other students write best under the pressure of a last-minute deadline. All that we can ever judge are their products. Granted, we can and should offer some guidelines on processes. But we shouldn't force all students to follow a set method. Cognitive styles differ.