How do I back up files and reinstall original disks on my Power Mac G-4 (2000)

Question

How do I back up files and reinstall original disks on my Power Mac G-4 (yr. 2000). I know that sounds basic but I have very few techno skills. So please "talk down" to me. I had a newer PC (2005) but the hard drive crashed and I am trying to resuscitate this old mac until I can afford to buy a new one. I am in the middle of writing a book (based on Steve Job's life) and must have SOMETHING to write with. Anyone have a better one they can loan me? I am in Maine on the coast. BTW this machine seems to have trouble reading or formatting most CD-disks. Can anyone recommend a type and brand that works well with this model? Thanks for any assistance anyone can render. Here is what I have:
Machine Name:          Power Mac G4
  Machine Model:          PowerMac3,4
  CPU Type:          PowerPC G4  (2.9)
  Number Of CPUs:          1
  CPU Speed:          467 MHz
  L2 Cache (per CPU):          1 MB
  Memory:          768 MB
  Bus Speed:          133 MHz
  Boot ROM Version:          4.2.8f1

Answer 1

Why do you want to reformat the drive?  Is it because the machine is running slow?
Be sure to backup you important files, like the book, daily.
The cheapest approach would be to try to figure out why the machine is running slow.  Be sure to try safe boot.
You may want to run these "standard" fixes if the problem persists.
1) Check the amount of free space on your harddrive.  You should have a several gigs free.
2) You should run disk utility
      Macintosh-HD -> Applications -> Utilities -> Disk Utility
      a) verify the disk
      b) update your permissions.
3) Try a safe boot.
     Shutdown your machine.  Hold down the shift key.  Poweron.  Wait awhile; wait awhile while you harddrive
     is being checked.
     http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455
4) Another way to correct filesystem problems is into single use mode.
     This page will tell you how to get into single user mode.
     http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1492
    Basically, you hold down the command + s key then  powering on your machine. The command key
    has a little apple symbol on the lower left. It is between the alt/option key and the space bar. 
4) You may want to run applejack to clean up your machine.
      http://applejack.sourceforge.net/
6) Run hardware diagnostics.  It's good for a sanity check.
The older versions of ccc were donationware.
Here are two utilities for making a complete backup of your internal hard drive.  I've recommend using one of these so that you can create a bootable system  on your external hard drive. ( PPC require a firewire connected drive. )  Once created, you can run your system from the external drive.  Hold down the option key on your keyboard then power on your machine.  This will bring you in startup manager click on the drive image you wish to boot then click on the arrow key to the right.
"Clone, synchronize, backup. Schedule and forget it."
http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
"SuperDuper is the wildly acclaimed program that makes recovery painless, because it makes creating a fully bootable backup painless."
http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html