No idea, I thought that's how it had to be done because everyone does it.
WHAT do they all do? Does everyone go to the architect with self-drawn plans? - probably not, but rather to the permit documentation drafter (aka draftsperson) of a general contractor. But that is exactly what you can't afford if it shouldn't become your sure Waterloo: the more "virgin" the layman, the more important the way to the professional instead of to the livestock ;-)
My problem is also that I can't put my wishes into words - I have a picture in my head but can't make others understand it.
First, that is precisely the diagnosis for which you urgently need to go to a "real" expert. And secondly, no, here you have at least somewhat conveyed an idea of your project to your discussion partners. Why should the expert be less able to follow you than we are?