I don't really know where I fall on the whole shyness level thing. I like to think of myself as more so introverted and/or socially awkward rather than shy, although I'm pretty sure it's some weird combo of them all.
For me, it's a lot harder in real life, although mostly because a lot of people in my school/area are really kinda stupid/foolish (Deska can attest to this, we go to the same school =w=b ). Even so, I haven't really gotten to know many people in my high school life. And of those I've at least introduced myself to (usually out of circumstantial meetings; projects, teacher-induced icebreakers, etc.), I barely talk to them. Actually, I'm just no good at talking to people in general. Be it online or via text message, I usually just totally blank out on what to say and never respond. OTL
I'm already really different from most people around me irl. Besides being into anime and VOCALOID and UTAU and such (the anime fans in our school aren't the greatest selection. There's Deska and ON and another kid or two I can stand, but after that they really give a bad name to our club), I don't pay much attention to appearance or take part in the rumor mill. I can barely stand group projects, let alone go to some school dance. I barely survive spirit week each year. I read somewhere between two and ten books a month, depending on the size and story of the book. I'd love to be a novelist one day too. Most people at school, even one of my dearest friends, they can't really take what I do (AP art, writing, reading, etc) seriously, so I've stopped talking about it with them. And then I find I've nothing to talk about with most people. So then I gained a bit of a reputation for being that weird kid who sits away from everyone and reads and doesn't talk to anyone. (I'm an utter failure at talking to people irl. When I can't think of anything to say, which happens about ninety percent of the time, I just don't say anything at all, and then the person leaves and I never speak to them again.)
I find it easier to talk online with people, since I don't know anyone. It seems to be easier to throw myself out there into the masses of random strangers than it does with people I've sorta grown up with. Especially on Twitter, 'cause I don't expect anyone to read or respond to my tweets. Although, I still have problems forcing myself to hit "post" in any post I make. This is my third time re-writing this post.
I guess I've gotten better with it since my freshman year. I didn't have too many problems before that, I don't believe. Freshman year was pretty bad for me. Didn't really meet anyone new until an old classmate kidnapped my belongings and pretty much forced me to follow her to a group of really nice people I had no idea existed (near the end of the school year). (But then they all graduated and I haven't heard from them since.)
So eventually, I guess I forced myself to start talking to people. I still freeze up when someone asks me something and I'm expected to answer almost immediately, and I still can't stand being in crowds either. Sure, I've still a ways to go, and I'll never be a social butterfly (I hate butterflies anyways, haha), but I'm a lot more comfortable with people in general lately.
And even here, I've been watching the fandom grow for about two years now. Many people seem very nice, and I can tell who I might get along with and who I'd want to shoot in the end. Still, it's much easier for me to leave a post here or there and call it a day. I like to think I've gotten better in forums too. Hell, when I started out, I could barely say "thanks" to anyone. And at least I can sort of kind of almost not really do that now. I guess I've learned to take risks like this.
And I'll shut up now because it's one AM and I need to be up at six.
tl;dr
I'm no good talking to people. I do better online. It's still not very good. But I'm at a point where I'm comfortable just watching most of the time. And I've gotten better with it. And I'm terrified of hitting the post button but I'm going to do it anyways because I'm tired and want to get this over with and feel comfortable enough with the fandom to post this even though I'll want to change it later and by the way run on sentences are kinda fun. Have I mentioned I'm also not good at coming up with ending lines?