The London Library

[triad_serpent]

Setting: London, 1990

Comments

[robling_t]

Couple of random Tube observations from an American whose time in London was in 1990/1991 -- the Jubilee line terminated at Charing Cross, and the Docklands Light Rail was very new, as in a phase of it opened while I was there. You'll generally want to firm up what you're planning to write before you try to lay in specifics, because knowing where you need your characters to be would be relevant in figuring out which part of the system to zero in on for what was current right then...

[triad_serpent]

Yes, thank you! That's the sort of thing I was worried about, especially since I was mostly finding newer info...a lot changes in twenty years!

[penhaligonblue]

This website has been invaluable to me in the past; one of my fandoms requires frequent trips on the late-70s underground. You might want to try searching for "antique London underground maps" - you'll find plenty of listings aimed at people who (like me) love to incorporate the map into their decor.

[triad_serpent]

OMG, thank you, looks perfect! :)

[toastedcheese]

Here is a geographically accurate Tube map, for fun (but from 2000): http://ni.chol.as/media/geoff-files/sillymaps/large_geographical_map.gif

General advice for writing about London as an American: Google Streetview, of course, is an amazing gift for writers. I also have used (http://www.urban75.org/photos) as a photo reference.

Be very careful about your language or British people will laugh at you. Here is a good place to start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_English_differences

The fun part is traveling to London for the first time after you've written about it and recognizing things!

[triad_serpent]

Thanks so much! These links look very helpful. :)