Bicycle Tutor

Hello!! I have a 2007 Giant M1 with SRAM X.7 levers (derailleurs are Shimano Deore FD-M510 / SRAM RD-X7 ). After moving the shifters on the handlebar by about an inch towards the stem, I get problems on both sides when shifting:
On the right hand shifter (for the rear derailleur), when I try to click to a higher gear, it just clicks once with nothing happening and I need to get the lever back manually for it to shift into the higher gear. The left shifter also makes similar problems. Is this caused by moving the shifters closer to the stem? Can this be fixed by turning the manual screw on the shifter or do I need to adjust the derailleurs? I'm a total beginner and really want to fix this problem ASAP. Thanks in advance for any help!!
Btw, I just got the Bicycling Illustrated Bicycle Maintenance by Todd Downs. If anyone could point me to the relevant pages in that book, it would help too.
GC1971
PS: If it's any help, I could try uploading photos of the shifters/derailleurs.

Moving the shifters should not have affected this unless the cables now have a kink or tight bend in them due to the new position. Check to make sure both cable have nice smooth clear paths.
If that looks OK, I'd walk through a standard shifting adjustment...check the limit screws on the derailleurs, check cable tension. I'm sure your book would have a good section on that.

Thanks, DaveM! I already noticed that turning the little barrel wheel on the shifter counter-clockwise will help the situation a little. But indexing is still not quite right. I'll definitely try out a derailleur adjustment by the book.