Perry:
Sounds like you are not heating your plastic quite enough. I usually use 4 to 6oz (sometimes 8oz) of plastic in my cups. Usually, I heat for 2 minutes, check out the plastic and heat again for 30 seconds.
Then I add flake and coloring, then nuke again for 30 seconds, add scent and pour. Of course, you want to stir between each time you heat.
I pour the beaver body first, pouring the stream into the "head" area until the body cavity is full but not running over to the tail or flaps. Then, I go up to the first flap, down across the body to the lower flap and finally to the tail. If you pour a little stream as you are crossing from the top to the bottom flap, the body will be full...
The only baits I pour from the tail first are my jig trailers. All the rest, I go from the body to the tail. If there are legs, etc. like a lizard, I will fill the body first, go to the top legs, fill a little more in the body and then do the other legs before the tail.
The only way for you to get comfortable and to get what works for you is to practice. Trail and error will get you there!!! Soon, you will be a pro!!!
Jim
PS The only stupid questions are the ones that don't get asked!!! Also, remember to use the search function under TU search and Search Forums. You could read for months on most topics as there is some great info that has been posted by the real experts in soft plastics!!!!