[Scruffy]

Sound like timing might be a problem. When I first started doing birthday parties I had the same problem. An older clown told me to practice lots and then sit down and write a detailed, blow by blow account of my program. Every joke,every magic trick, all the games; A full account. from there I had to practice until I got everything worked out. Since I did magic as my main thing. I spent the most time working out the magic show. It's a pain in the neck; but it works.
I started clowning the same way, Bongo.I wanted to be a clown so I started learning. I went to the library and found several great books on clowning and read them voraciously. I started piecing together a costume. I was a very happy camper when my Mom told me that the Class E clowns 4-H club was taking new members. The rest is history. And I knew a lot more than the other clowns because I read so much.
Here is a list of some great book to check out. Owning then isn't a bad idea.

Creative Clowning by Tony Blanco and Bruce Fife. If you can only buy one book; Buy this one; It's da bomb.
Strutter's complete guide to clown makeup by Jim Roberts. Buy this one if you can.
Clown for circus and stage by Mark Stolzenberg
Be a Clown! by Turk Pipin
Clown Magic by David Ginn
Clowns by John Towsen
There are others but these are good. Take the time to plan out every minute odf your show, write it down and then rehearse it as you have it written down.In time as you improve, you will be able to vary it. Just keep up the practice and never quit learning.
Good, Better, Best.
Never rest,
until the good is better, and the better is best.