Hi Arizona girl, thanks for reading and sharing your experience with me. Dear young lady, here's my advice - the only way you are going to learn is by just being the awkward uncomfortable position around people not knowing how to connect - but with each exposed experience you get, you will see something, a phrase said, how it made you or another feel - and it will then teach you quickly and effectively. No matter how much you read or write - your ability to connect socially has to be born from those unknown interactions. Just be yourself - half the people around you are feeling exactly the same, and keep reminding yourself that you are not the only one. Silence but with a smile can be your go-to in the face of not knowing what to say. Start with the basics - name, where you're from, what do you like to do -- just ask yourself what do you think you'd like others to ask you that you wouldn't mind answering - and it'll work. It takes practice and nothing will replace experience. Practice talking to strangers when doing your grocery shopping to those that don't seem like a big risk - look at how they respond to you. applaud yourself for the little battles won - and try not to figure it out all at once. A connection can often times happen organically. - completely out of your control - and those will surprise you and let you know: there's nothing odd about you. You just needed time to find your person and people!

Cheers - you got this!!