Problem with a sqlite update statement using variables

Question

Flash Builder/Flex 4
I'm trying to create a routine that will allow me to change the name of an author in a sqlite table.
I have this update statement which works with hardcoded data:
//trace("updateName function newAuthorName: " + newAuthorName (returns Dusty));
//trace("updateName function oldAuthorName: " + oldAuthorName (returns Kristin));
updateStmt = new SQLStatement();
updateStmt.sqlConnection = conn;
var sql:String = "UPDATE tableName SET authorNameColumn = 'Dusty' WHERE authorNameColumn = 'Kristin' ";
updateStmt.text = sql;
updateStmt.execute();
If I change the statement to
"UPDATE tableName SET authorNameColumn  =" +  newAuthorName +  "WHERE authorNameColumn =" + oldAuthorName;
I get SELECT error: SQLError: 'Error #3115: SQL Error.', details:'near 'authorNameColumn': syntax error'
I've tried changing many things about this statement trying to isolate the problem, but it seems to not like the variables.

Answer 1

Lee;
Thanks for your help.
I'm relatively new to this Flex stuff.
I've been trying to fix this problem for hours and you know how it is when you keep looking at the same thing for too long.
The article you linked to helped. I finally just copied the text from it and changed the variable name to my own.
FINALLY!! I can go do something else now.
Grins
Kristin