Girl Gamer, I've certainly been in your shoes and understand where you're coming from. A few things have helped me loosen up my game at times.
1. Read Harrington's books. They're really full of valuable information and will also help you get aggressive in tournaments when you need to.
2. Read a lot of ChuckTs posts. He is a very LAG player and the perspectives on hands are very different than you would have on many hands.
3. Watch betting patterns for bluffing opportunities. For example, if you're in a hand where two suited cards hit on the flop and you put your opponent on top pair but no flush draw, watch how he bets it. If he bets well above the pot to drive out the flush draw, then you're more than likely going to fold. However, if he bets half the pot or a quarter pot, they may be a weak player trying to limit their losses incase that 3rd suited card hits for the flush. Those are the types of players/situations you want to bluff in. To make it easier on yourself since you described yourself as a chicken...if the situation i described presents itself, put out a quarter pot bet so if you do get called, you won't lose too much. There are many other opportunities out there but this is how I got more comfortable with bluffing.
This is generaly good advice. The one thing you have to remember about bluffing, that alot of people forget, is that you have to build up the bluff. Early on in the hand, you have to have made moves that make it believable that you have your opponent beat. Set it up, and make him believe you. Oh, and bluffing without any outs is usually a very risky move, unless you are CERTAIN that you are ahead by a high card, or that the other guy will fold. Dont be stupid with bluffs, the biggest thing I see with newbies both online and live is that they think bluffing is basically required every second hand. Probably because they see the highlight reels on a
wsop, and see just the big bluffs, etc. Dont fall into that trap, build your bluffs, exploit weakness, and make sure situations are right. Also, youll find that if you see weakness preflop, raise it, and get a caller, youve already started your bluff, and, who knows, you might hit a hand anyways, and really take something down. thats the beauty of the LAG.
oh, and thats my style.