writing process

I realized that when I write I am all over the place. Finding the "center" that we always talk about in class is something that I can easily do with an academic paper because I have a definite thesis, but when it comes to creative writing I seem to lose focus. Does a creative piece necessarily need a definite focus? I am not sure if I agree entirely that creative pieces need to have an in your face type of focus- I think that as long as the writer expresses the point they are trying to get across then that is what is the most important.. maybe I am just missing the concept of finding a "center" or maybe I already do that and I, myself, just cannot see it.