commiting a sticky file

hi...

i guess this is a dumb question but i'll be danged if i can find the
answer.

i have a main trunk and want to create a branch.  i do it, and check
out the branch. now all the files are sticky. i can't commit them.  i
want to edit and commit to the branch.

an update -A doesn't work because a commit commits the revision to the
main trunk.
it can't be that hard.

thanks!!!

lee