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Some great advice so far, on how to get used to talking and to meet new friends and earn new social muscles. This is big because I have a little secret not many PUA's talk about: Extroverts get laid more.
A lot of guys will teach you that you can get laid being an introvert. For PUA's this is the 'off night' they talk about where they were not in state or did everything wrong and go the girl. You can get laid being an introvert. Do not get me wrong. Their are methods that teach that and have validity. But Extroversion is one of those traits that is tested in social psych to get more friendships and sexual partners.
The line of Extroversion and Introversion is marginal. The thin line between outgoing and not being outgoing is so small we dramatize this issue. You are an introvert? But you open? If you open you appear to be an extrovert. If you run out of things to say that is another issue.
A lot of introverts have a few common problems. They normally just do not have enough positive reference experience in social interactions. They often run out of stuff to say, which is either a mechanical problem with not planing out safe conversation topics, having an unrealistic bar for what you can say to a girl (As in thinking you need super cool stuff to say), or being nervous. I may be reaching, but I bet one of these problems are your own.
A few tactics designed to help get things going would be: Cold Reading (Being Observant), Plowing (Keep talking no until it hooks), re-frame questions as statements, and canned - material. A joke or line to spark conversation, or practically any opener you have ever heard, is often a better way to spark conversation than typical rapport questions.
I would also like to add, I would bet your body language is poor. A lot of attraction can be done with body language and with body language that IOI's, IOD's, and calibrates to the situation you can keep in a conversation far longer.
Really really great advice from Life PUA here. A lot of guys will teach you that you can get laid being an introvert. For PUA's this is the 'off night' they talk about where they were not in state or did everything wrong and go the girl. You can get laid being an introvert. Do not get me wrong. Their are methods that teach that and have validity. But Extroversion is one of those traits that is tested in social psych to get more friendships and sexual partners.
The line of Extroversion and Introversion is marginal. The thin line between outgoing and not being outgoing is so small we dramatize this issue. You are an introvert? But you open? If you open you appear to be an extrovert. If you run out of things to say that is another issue.
A lot of introverts have a few common problems. They normally just do not have enough positive reference experience in social interactions. They often run out of stuff to say, which is either a mechanical problem with not planing out safe conversation topics, having an unrealistic bar for what you can say to a girl (As in thinking you need super cool stuff to say), or being nervous. I may be reaching, but I bet one of these problems are your own.
A few tactics designed to help get things going would be: Cold Reading (Being Observant), Plowing (Keep talking no until it hooks), re-frame questions as statements, and canned - material. A joke or line to spark conversation, or practically any opener you have ever heard, is often a better way to spark conversation than typical rapport questions.
I would also like to add, I would bet your body language is poor. A lot of attraction can be done with body language and with body language that IOI's, IOD's, and calibrates to the situation you can keep in a conversation far longer.
As mentioned, joining toastmasters and improv classes do help you overcome introversion. (I myself recently joined a toastmasters club early this year) however, it doesn't help you enough, albeit rather slowly. The reason is because they help you recondition yourself to talking a lot and become more outgoing. Your introversion came into your life because of a particular social conditioning you had since you were a child. (Blame your parents for this)
I'd advise you to look within yourself. Find out what makes you an introvert. You have close friends yes? Are any of them extroverts? If they are, then find out what makes them tick. Notice behavioral differences and patterns. All answers you seek are always found within.
Be observant. Be more spontaneous. Notice your tone of voice. Notice your body language. Once you wholly realize the patterns, you start becoming more understanding of your predicament. But knowing isn't enough. You have to keep practicing. If you ever have a chance to go out for some drinks with some friends (or a friend), then go for it. Don't skip this important opportunity. Keep being out there. You find yourself at home doing assignments and you feel so bored or emotional, call up a friend and ask if they'd wanna go out tonight.
But I really can't stress this enough: Knowing is not enough. Being out there with a social group isn't enough. You have to realize things, you have to observe. Observe how your body is reacting etc..
You mentioned that you don't know of any words to say. Well here's the thing. I'm an introvert too, and I used to be on the exact same page. Try to make suggestions and statements, instead of questions. Anything comes up in your mind, you say it. Don't try to evaluate and decide if it was funny enough or good enough to say. Just blurt out. You're in a group or with a close friend, you saw something stupid happening in the corner of your eye, you point out to them and talk about it.
I'm guessing you have quite a lot to say with your group, but you don't say it because you don't think it could hook. Start using more interesting first liners instead of just saying your words out. Things like, "Hey funny thing happened..." Or "Woah did you guys know..." Goes a long way.
Hope this helped you in any way possible. Take care
With love,
Matt