So, I'm basically new to this whole game and I'm looking for help.

Ordinarily, I'm awkward around anyone I don't know but I want to learn to not be. I've browsed the web for other advice but it all points to being confident and knowing how to keep a conversation going.

At the moment, I can barely strike up a conversation let alone keep it going. Though I can find something to start off with pretty easily, I can't tell if girls are interested in me or what I have to say. When things go silent, I panic. I've been currently using Tinder and that hasn't exactly been helpful. One second, we're talking normally and the next, she stops talking to me. It makes sense sometimes but I don't understand what I'm doing wrong.

So, reddit, any advice for a newbie?