is there a genre of written work specifically concerned with the conception and procedure of literary works, or is it all random interviews or annotated guides? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by Varyk@sh.itjust.works to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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i like watching "making-of" or "behind-the-scenes" featurettes and documentaries about the behind the scenes machinations of movie making, but in terms of literature, I'm not sure what to look for if i want to learn about the process Martha wells went through to conceive the murderbot diaries, for example.

i can search for making-of The Matrix and find documentaries, but not making-of project hail Mary and find similar literary results.

is there a section of literature like this?

should i be reading annotated editions?

thanks

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[-] Boozilla@lemmy.world 10 points 2 months ago

Literary Criticism or Literary Theory. If it's an older library, Dewey Decimal 809, or the PN section for Library of Congress.

[-] Varyk@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

thanks!

i find lit criticism/theory works often deal with broader, philosophical analysis of a work from the outside, sometimes without any input or direction taken from the author.

I'm looking for a more inside look expanding on what the author creares or practices, like Tolkien liking finnish so much he adapted it into elvish.

A documentary in written form expanding on canon, confirmed details and events regarding the production of a particular work.

or! should i go back into the lit theory and criticism sections of the library and pay closer attention?

[-] Boozilla@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

Oh, sorry! I did sort of misread your question/post. There's a book by Lawrence Block called "Write for Your Life" which as a lot of accolades. Of course, he is more of a pulp fiction writer not a literary writer. There's also "Hero of a Thousand Faces", a famous collection of writings by Joseph Campbell. I think books like these are closer to what you are looking for but still not a slam dunk.

For Tolkien's work, there is the twelve volume "The Complete History of Middle Earth" which is about as inside baseball as you can get for Tolkien. It's intimidating, though. And has numerous notes and revisions in it, which are a bit overwhelming. "The Making of Middle-Earth" by Snyder is a more approachable read at 368 pages.

So if I finally get it through my thick skull and understand your question, you are looking like a book more like these, but not necessarily for Tolkien?

[-] Audalin@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

For Tolkien's work, there is the twelve volume "The Complete History of Middle Earth" which is about as inside baseball as you can get for Tolkien.

I'd replace HoME with Parma Eldalamberon, Vinyar Tengwar and other journals publishing his early materials here.

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