How do I backup all my files if my Macbook won't start up?

So a few days ago, my dad and I got into a fight - he reacted by pouring coffee all over my macbook, then continuously slammed it on the floor. There wasn't really much I could do for my macbook then, except the basic procedure of powering it off, turning it upside down, then waiting for a couple of days to use it. Luckily enough, my macbook was able to turn on, but it got stuck on the logo screen and couldn't go any further than that.
I had already planned to diagnose my macbook after an earlier water spill, and spent over $500 on tools/replacements. I bought an external hard drive to backup my computer files with before diagnosing it - but now I can't really do that since my macbook won't start up. Is there any way I can boot it up just to back up my files before they get lost forever?

yes, the HD contains all you data, SEE PIC BELOW of macbook
Do you have 2 HD in your macbook? Some macbooks are modified and have removed DVD/Superdrives and contain a second hard drive (if you didnt do that, it isnt in there)
The HD itself is sealed, however the internal armature and heads are fragile, these are like records and needle.
obviously torturing these HD heads is like shaking an old record player with its needle and arm (bad idea)
The HD is like a metal sealed box (in simple explanation)....which is GOOD.....since liquid doesnt get in there...
what is BAD is what is inside that box is fragile
also what is bad is that the underside of that "BOX" contains a control board which CAN get ruined by nasty liquids.
if this was also possible to do with the hard drive.
No, dont think of putting any liquid ON / IN the HD, ..as said the HD is sealed, but it does have a circuit board on it (controller board) you cant see in this pic above,.....nasty liquid on it can of course fry the ability to access the data ON the HD platters inside......data recovery experts can get around this,....so can I, but its costly and very "painful" to do.
see picture of that control board here> http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Portege-R500/small/remove-hard-dri ve-10sm.jpg
inside of a HD:

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