Tom Fletcher. / Comments

Sam, I swear, I’m beating you when it comes to tardiness. It’s been a year and I’m surprised how people don’t think I’ve died yet. So, how has your year been? How’s university? Congrats on becoming a legal adult in every country, how did you celebrate it?

Surprisingly, I tend to be rather rapid with emails (I never used to be), because I work as a freelance writer; journalism requires you to be physically attached to your email otherwise people freak out. No kidding. Once time an editor sent me a five emails all in capitals freaking out because I hadn’t replied to their email within ten minutes.

POP-UP BOOKS ARE THE BEST. My friend got me an Alice in Wonderland one for my birthday. I love it so much. There’s this amazing section where you can unfold this paper construction and stretch it from the page and watch as Alice falls down the rabbit hole.

I completely agree about the romance genre, but like music, book selections take time and need to be carefully selected to discover something that is worth your time and restores your faith in the publishing industry.

Australia is the gap-year dream? Australia is largely a working class country and England founded the first universities in the world, therefore, it’s understandable why there’s this intellectual elitism. Still I think, after a year of growing up (cough, cough), that both stigmas exist: intellectual elitism and intellectual anathema.

Also, I think people should commend you for applying yourself so wonderfully to get where you are, and try not to think like that. It’s a very high expectation to put on yourself — “it feels as though if I don’t want to make something amazing and high achieving of my life them I don’t deserve to have an amazing education” (Sam, August 2012) — because the only person feeling inadequate is you and you’re not inadequate.

Life is not about making awesome achievements, but contributing to society in a way that empowers and pleases you. I used to think the same when I was younger, but watching all of my friends graduate from prestigious universities and not being famous, an exaggeration I know, made me realize that university isn’t a matter of class, what background you come from, but how you can better yourself and help advance society — it’s the small actions that matter the most and lead to great advancement.

And you’re not an annoying spoilt brat; you have a very valid point. My friend is a straight HD student and she feels exactly the same way, like she doesn’t deserve to be there, but her studies are making a difference for the advancement of psychology — how is that not amazing?

To use a quote by Gandalf the grey: “Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay... small acts of kindness and love.”

Honestly, British culture is something that I relate to because of your sense of humour, and mostly because I adore so many of your television shows. Also, I want to live in a different place when I’m older and I know London has a very large arts culture, which is what I specialize writing in and what I truly love. You also have a very rich history that Australia lacks, because we’re a young country still. It’s akin to my interest in going to New York.

I love questions! Did you end up seeing The Hobbit? What did you think? Also, are you attending Edinburgh Writers Festival (or something along those lines)?

How did your job-hunting go? Did you make enough rent for the semester/year? How’s your summer going?

I’m currently applying for tutoring jobs so I can leave my job as a service cashier. I’ve been there for nearly 6 years now and it’s time to move on.

Hope you’re well, lovely. Many wishes and love, xx

no worries. my thoughts are with you

thank you for that reply on the confessions thread.

Firstly, I am so sorry for the tardiness of this. If it's anything, I did end up writing a poem for my friend's 21st speech. She requested something short and sweet - I nearly cried when reading the poem.

All right, I've noted the book down and will borrow it from the library at some stage. Alone In Berlin sounds like it could be a heart-breaker. Please don't tell me if it is.

"I prefer the scope that third person can bring" is possibly one of the most beautiful, succinct ways of putting that. Honestly, I don't read much romance. At the moment I'm trying to get through as many children's books as possible - they're so awesome because they pop out and have puzzles and stuff!

Uni, to me, was incredibly, incredibly petrifying when I started. It's the crowds that do it, and I can relate to your fear. My parents think I'm incredibly gregarious, however, I'm not. I'm simply approachable.

When it comes to the British debate, it's not just the Americans whom exhibit an inclination towards the British. Us Australian do as well. Australia is a mini-America and it's incredibly, incredibly frustrating for those who crave intellect. It's simply frowned upon and often makes it harder to socialise with other people. The UK, though it obviously has it's superfluous qualities, like every country, it has been portrayed throughout history as the intellectual country. Heck! The concept of University originated from England!

I certainly don't have as wide as an array of British Actor knowledge in comparison to me; for us, it's more a matter of being part of a culture that appreciates us. I wish I could identify myself as a typical Australian, but I find it difficult too, particularly since everyone thinks I'm am immigrant. Fuck, that's annoying too... let's not get started on that.

Gosh, please excuse that ineloquent rant known as my mind, haha.

I hope you're well Same. <3

Yep four of them, they almost drove me nuts but thankfully im done now. :') I need to get back to writinggg xx

I detest it when my family get me such lovely notebooks for presents; I feel like I'm desecrating a work of art when I use it. I received a free pandora leather-bound note book when I purchased my pandora bracelet. I still refuse to use it. It smells too nice and just feels too nice in my hands.

Oh, have you read Lady Chatterley's Lover? To Kill a Mockingbird is an amazing novel. I swear, it's life-changing, the very definition of it. Oh, I will add that to my list. What is Alone in Berlin about? I'm still trudging through The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. It's gotten to the section where the woman he loves appears - I'm atrocious at reading lyrical romance. I prefer romance in third person, rather than first person and it has to be shown rather than told. When it comes to romance, I think actions speak volumes louder. What about you?

Yes, it forces us to inevitably get something published, rather than spend our entire lives editing one novel.

N'aw, people wouldn't forget you. I'm saying that truthfully because I moved to a different university when I swapped degrees. Some people I haven't seen for nearly one and a half years, however, we still maintain close relationships. All of my best friends go to different universities and we only see each other bi-monthly basically. It sucks, so much, but when we meet up, the shenanigans are insane. Are most of your friends at uni?

Oh, have you voted in the Anglo Fan Favourite, The Men of 2012? It's on BBC America at the moment and some of the voting options are just cruel - Stephen Fry or Neil Gaiman? Why? Why?!

love you moreeee :') I've finally finished uni so I can use mibba guilt free and harrass you with my friendship again :') xx

OH MY GOD. IT ISN'T JUST ME. I have so many blank notebooks that are littered about the place, but always find some justified reason to purchase more. Who said writers had to be logical?

Gosh, I know the feeling. I'm going nuts with all the stories I can read; it's heaven. Reading the classics is important I think, however, it's important to just read. It familiarises you with your style. What's on your list of books to read?

I'm that type of writer. It's one of the hardest things my degree has taught me, particularly through workshopping. We were not allowed to edit our work. At all. It was horrible. I've never wanted to crawl into a hole and scurry out again after workshopping was over.

I will remain jealous. I love winter. Summer is really my thing. Coats, tea, coffee and a warm fire is where I am. How long is your friend on exchange for?

'Joint Honours' sounds so much smarter than a 'double degree'. Hey, don't let it dishearten you, because you can still write. Look at authors such as Ian Irvine, or Karen Simpson Nikakis. They both have such large fan bases for their novels, yet Ian Irvine studied Marine Biology (if I'm correct) and Karen is the head of my course.

I penned my first Hemmingway inspired piece! You don't know how ecstatic I am; it's winter here. I don't wish it was summer, otherwise I'd be hiding in a freezer until winter came along. I heard you can't write in wet conditions. Oh, thank you for the comment on my story. I edited it a bit.

I'm working a Sherlock fan fiction - I think it drags because it's such a complicated fandom. There is a phenomenal amount of research involved if you want to adhere to canon; Sherlock himself is a pain to write. Write original fiction. Just write, because the more you get it out, the faster you can filter the content that you don't need. Don't worry about the quality being fantastic. As John Green said: "at least 70% of your original novel doesn't end up in the final novel", or something along those lines.

You're in Edinburgh? I'm jealous. I'm still in Melbourne, at least.

I like the simplicity of the layout, just the navigation will take some getting used to. Still, I miss the familiarity of the old layout. Heaps.

Haha, why envy me? You're doing English Language at University! Are you planning to do a double major? My degree is in Writing & Publishing; it's a practical course, which is perfect for me. Currently I'm writing (or going to, now that I'm on holidays) a multitude of short-stories for competitions this year. Hopefully, I'll get something creative published. Right now, I work as a blogging intern. It's all right, got to start somewhere right? Are you working on anything at all?

If it's any consolation, the screen production is just as fantastic. I saw the version where Benedict is Frankenstein and Danny was the creature. I was so glad we were studying Frankenstein for uni at the time, otherwise I would've felt guilty. Gah, I want to meet him so badly... like Stephen Fry.

Haha, I haven't been here for two years. At least the 'New Mibba' finally came along; '2 weeks' ended up being '2 years'. I've been well thanks, grew up a bit and somehow decided to become a writer. What about you? Are you at uni now?

I adore the man so much, akin to Matt Smith. Did you see Benedict's performance in Frankenstein?

Sam? You're still here? YAY!

Hi, it's Av. If you happen to remember me. How have you been love? Yes, I am quite liking your Benedict avatar by the way. He's such a babe.

Benedict. How I adore him so! <3 Hiya. (:

love you. miss you. <3

sure! take your time! i'll probably just take my current coding and edit it a little. i don't really write my own codes, i just edit other people's a loooooot. so you can't like, give it out or anything. xD

whaaaaaat?! my profile is the simplest ever!
i could make you a profile layout if you want to, just say so. and my theme sucks! i'm going to change it now. >:)

YOUR THEME is still /THE/ best theme EVER
js.

Haha! I was squeeing and got all happy, but I was by myself luckily. :P

I have no idea! They're my favourite as well, but everyone I talk to still think Toby is creepy. >.< I also like Ezria, which seems to be more commonly shipped.

Oh my gosh, excuse my random comment but you're the only other person I know that watches PLL and wanted Toby and Spencer to get back together. I was so excited. xD

awwww, I'm sure it would enjoy both of those things. :P My breath was taken away when I saw that picture for the first time. I got it from bbcsherlockcaps.tumblr.com she'll let you use any of them so long as you credit her. c:

And it's no problem! I need to add more Sherlockians on here. I haven't been on Mibba in quite some time and all of my old friends have left or we aren't interested in the same things anymore. :c Anyhow, my name is Zoey. How are you today?