I am 15 F and I am going to a new school this year and really want to make some friends. However, I have trouble starting and keeping conversations going, mostly because I never know what to say.
This has been a problem with me for a long time, and it isn't just with people I don't know; it's with everyone, even my family and friends. I have researched conversation tips a lot, and what I've found — find something in common, keep asking questions, give compliments, listen, etc — None of it helps. What if I barely have anything in common? What if I can't think of anymore questions to ask that won't sound weird? What if the person just says, "thanks" to the compliment? What if the other person just gives short answers (cool, good, fine, meh)?
I've tried talking to myself, but, believe it or not, those conversations fizzle out fast too. I've also tried listening to other people's conversations; they just seem to flow so well, and are so interesting. But my conversations are much more halting and awkward.
I'm getting rather hopeless so can anyone give me some advice on how to keep a conversation going and how to think of stuff to say? Also, if anyone has/had the same problem as me, how do you work around it? Also, what are some of your most common topics you talk about with people?