Well, today was fun. I accidentally kicked over my computer box. (I think it's called the "hard drive" actually, but computer box sounds less stuffy. In any case, it's the big, rectangular, black lego piece that sits at my feet and holds all the stuff.) When it hit the ground it went THUNK! And my screen went black. Oops.

Luckily for us here at Weekly Reader, we are protected by a swell duo known as The Computer Guys! (Actually, I'm pretty sure they're known as I.T., but that's a bit complicated to get into and way beyond the point I will be eventually making.) I ran over to the computer guys and told them of my problem. Within minutes, they had me hooked up to a brand new computer and showed me where all my stuff had been saved.

Does your home computer or laptop come with built-in computer guys that will help you to locate your lost files? Mine doesn't. So I started thinking... Wow... I have soooo much writing just sitting on my hard drive at home. What would happen if my computer ever blew up or was lost in a fire or stolen by 18th century British spies?!? I'd be up word's creek without a file! As soon as I get home tonight, I'm going to back up every single one of my Microsoft Word documents. It's very easy to do. I do it about once every six months or so, but should probably do it more often. Here's how:

1) Put all your Word documents (or whatever program you use for writing) into one folder. Call that folder "Words" or some such. I call my folder "Words", that's the only reason why I suggested it. You can just as well call it "Brilliance" or "Wonder-Snausages" for all I care.

2) Drop a blank CD into your CD drive. (Duh. Where else are you going to put it?) Move your new Writing folder over to the CD icon. If you don't have a CD icon, you may have to search for it. It's probably in "My Computer". Look there. If you have a fairly new computer, this should be fairly easy. All you are doing is creating (burning) a new CD. Except instead of using music files (you know how to do that, right?) you are creating Word files. You're backing up your hard-drive! Score!

3) Get a permanent black magic marker and label your newly created CD. Call it something along the lines of "My Writing, November 29, 2005". Make sure to date it so you know, after a few months to make a new CD if you have a lot more writing you would like to back-up.

4) Once you have all of your files saved on a CD, throw your computer out the window. You don't need it anymore! Yeah, um, OK, I'm just joking about this step. Please don't throw your computer out the window. Then your mom and or dad will write the company and I'll get fired. No good for me. Thanks.

5) Actually, you're all done. There were really only 3 steps. But I like making lists and 5 steps seems more like an actual process than 3. Oh, I know! There is another step! I totally forgot! What you should do last is put your CD in a safe place. You might even want to put it somewhere outside of your house in case (God forbid) you know... your house burns down or something. Yeah, I know, terrible thought... and it's most likely never ever ever going to happen! But, with the 0.00000000001% chance that it might, you'd be better off to have your backup writing CD in your locker at school or at your sweet Grandma's house. Yeah, do that actually. Go visit your Grandma, she misses you.

Happy Writing!