So I'm not a good talker....

i used to have teh exact same problem; keep working at it. first of all you have to get out of your "this is awkward" mindset. don't be afraid to say anything that comes to your mind (preferably it should have something to do with the topic others are discussing). focus less on what others will think about what you are saying and focus more on the topic of discussion itself. express everything you say with a certain degree of nonchalance, so that you don't come off as nervous or tense. also if you smile you will come off as confident which won't make you seem awkward. if you say something really stupid then you can just laugh it off (dont assume everything is stupid because people who do that sound awkward). it takes practice, but the good news is that the more you work at it, you'll automatically become better till it won't be an effort anymore, but second nature =]

Ha I'm not such a great talker either- but I think you should be comfortable in your silence. If you don't feel like talking/ don't want to contribute something to the conversation, then don't.

If you do want to talk more-Id just say practice. Try to feel more comfortable with the people you hang with! Expand your horizons, talk to strangers--and you know what? Akwardness is everywhere-everyone experiences it; the difference is with you it may prevent you from speaking your mind. Don't let it!

Listening is really important to being able to converse- you need to know what the other person is interested in, what they want to talk about and pay attention to whether they are listening to YOU. If they aren't change the subject--ask them a question to get them talking and go from there.