one of my favourite techniques for middle game is what i call the random question i have taken this term from somewhere however cannot for the life of me remember where so if someone reads this and knowns who should be given the credit please comment and ill edit the title...

when i feel that my string are slowing down (and i say string cause u shld always have multiple convos string going on u can jump between if one gets boring or to long winded (mystery method)) i will through out another TOTALLY random question if ive got a story or DHV string going about my last holiday for example the random question wld be topicly linked JUST for example im talking bout holiday it gets a tad quiet ill come out with, " do u really beleave they used to put dolphin in tunaa???" cause i swam with dolphins on holiday it was well good wld be horrible to think it etc etc etc...try it normally gets attention again, and give me more string to play with again

best advise i can giv from personal experience e