mysql_query() ERROR

This is a query that I am sending to mysql. The problem is that sometimes in the variable "$message" characters like ")" will get posted and when they do it makes mysql die. I can only assume that mysql thinks that the ")" in the $message variable is meant to close the sql query, but I am having trouble figuring out how to avoid this. I suppose I could use a regex to replace all special characters with something more sql friendly but I am hoping there is a better way to do this. Thanks for any help. mysql_query("insert into guestbook (gb_entry_id,date,name,email,website_name,website_url,message) values ('',CURDATE(),'$name','$email','$website_name','$website_url','$message')") or die (mysql_error());