I curl up the end of the bill a little bit, so it holds the paper okay. Then, holding the paper-cradled-in-bill in one hand, I fill the paper with the other hand. Then I compress the pot and twist it up. At the end, the licking part, I do actually slide the joint out of the bill and do the licking without the bill being involved. Sounds to me that's where you're having probs - you're trying to do the licking while the joint is still inside the bill, but that doesn't work right, as you noticed. Just try (carefully) sliding the joint out before you do the licking. At that point, the bill is a hindrance rather than an aid.