You know, I don't think you give yourself enough credit. You are such a warm, interesting and fun person - that comes across a computer screen and across an ocean! When you talk to bf, you seem to get into the swing of it and relax into it and you have some really great conversations. I think you have just got to be braver about taking that first step.
I think some questions are good to start things off... although I did have a phone conversation once with a bloke and I ended up just asking continuous questions because he was just responding with one word answers. This is because he wasn't engaging in conversation and dialogue. It was soooo clear to me and it will be so clear to you if bf does not want to engage in something. If he doesn't, as Essie says drop it and move on. You can even take the spotlight off him by talking about you, or a friend or something. Just move right on.
I don't know about you but this whole thing with my h has knocked my confidence and I have quite a hard time believing that people would want to talk to me as my h takes such great lengths not to talk to me. Bf responds to you and has said that you help him with things etc and he finds talking to you helpful. He is telling you that he likes talking to you (and so he should!). You gave him space... now reward him with your lovely self, because that is what it is. Remember that he is privileged to have you calling him. What I am saying, in a very long winded fashion is, that have confidence in yourself. You have no reason not to.
