Hey yoitsdomka! ;-)

Yes, you can address him either [b]Dear Mr. Barnes[/b], [b]Dear Mr. Ben Barnes[/b] or anything like that. {thumb2} Also, you don't have to be too formal, otherwise it'll look like you're applying for a job and the whole feel of the letter would be "cold"! :lol: Of course, you should'nt be rude but just write like you would talk to on older person - polite. {up}

Good luck & if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask! :mrgreen:

Regards,
Lizanne

That's what I thought, thanks for confirming :D
And yay, I can use a smilie xD I'm a huge smilie abuser on the internet but I'll only use it once in the letter, I promise xP

Dear [b]Mr.Barnes[/b] or [b]sir[/b].

Addressing someone you don't know personally/haven't met/who is older than you, by their first name, is real rude in my opinion. {up}

It's ok to use one smiley yes, just don't do it excessively.

Should I write 'Dear Mr. Barnes', as I wanted, or just 'Dear Ben'? I don't want to sound too formal nor too...friend-like xP
Also, is it acceptable to use ':)' once?