Y-Connector Sockets from Home Depot/Lowes really help with positioning your CFLs.
You could probably afford a proper CFL Grow Light though for how much you spend on all your CFLs. Check your local hydroponics store for some high wattage CFLs, you can probably find something for around $50-$70 that would destroy the simple store bought CFLs.
Topping is going to help you yes but LST is going to be your best friend. I've seen a 40W CFL grow produce an Oz utilizing a topping and lots of LST to expose the undergrowth to the light.
BIG IMPORTANT TIP: IF YOU USE CFL KEEP YOUR LIGHTS WITHIN ONE TO TWO INCHES OF YOUR PLANT. Seriously, a lot of new growers (including me) don't do this and their plants lose out because of it. If you're growing with CFL you need to surround your plant with small ones to garner any real benefit from it.
The following picture is off two plants at four weeks of vegetation under a single 125W Hydrofarm FlouroWing CFL Hood.