pedal faster is right. falling over is a rite of passage!
and the scars are badges of honor!
i've been in clips for 2 years and love them. wouldn't have it any other way. but when the Mr. started riding he was in his sneakers. finally went with clips and we had to go through that learning curve all over again. i stopped one day to show him my mileage on the ODO. he wasn't watching, and plowed right into me. 'course we both went over, bikes intwined. no injuries, no scratches. i laughed and stood up right away. he was embarassed and yelled at me. just kept laughing and rode off into the sunrise. (now he laughs at it).
to help with getting in and out of clips at a moments notice, i practiced on a quiet stretch of road. stopping suddenly and getting out of the clips. also try loosening the pedals at first to make it easier, then once at ease with that tighten them up ever so slightly each time. good luck
soph