The latter part of the History of Middle-Earth series goes through drafts of The Lord of the Rings -- e.g. Aragorn started as a hobbit named Trotter. You don't

The latter part of the History of Middle-Earth series goes through drafts of The Lord of the Rings -- e.g. Aragorn started as a hobbit named Trotter. You don't often get to see this much of the work going into a really successful novel. If you're interested in creating things you might find it heartening.