Just Say No to Abuse Declaring War on Terrorism. Anne Lamott wasn't so subtle about what she thought of first drafts in her book, Bird by Bird. All good writers write them. This is how they end up with good second drafts and terrific third drafts. I agree with her.
First drafts are the roughest, and well, ugliest drafts.
It's a common mistake of beginning writers, as well as seasoned ones, to expect themselves to produce shiny, perfect and very polished first drafts. Well, at least try to write all of them down. This is the stage where you don't let the memories of your English professors get in the way of writing. Don't worry, you'll pick them up later. After you get all your ideas down on paper, leave them.