How do I activate a layer?

[lilyofthefield]

I'm following a tutorial because I've never used Fireworks before.

I keep having a problem with the new layers I add. They won't let me work on them. I get a slash/circle when I want to draw a box or type a word.

I can't remember what I did to get the other unwilling layers to work properly. Clicking the layer doesn't help. Re-clicking the layer in the layer's panel doesn't help. What is the trick?

Thanks.