mips how to store user input string

# This code works fine in QtSpim simulator

.data
    buffer: .space 20
    str1:  .asciiz "Enter string"
    str2:  .asciiz "You wrote:\n"

.text

main:
    la $a0, str1    # Load and print string asking for string
    li $v0, 4
    syscall

    li $v0, 8       # take in input

    la $a0, buffer  # load byte space into address
    li $a1, 20      # allot the byte space for string

    move $t0, $a0   # save string to t0
    syscall

    la $a0, str2    # load and print "you wrote" string
    li $v0, 4
    syscall

    la $a0, buffer  # reload byte space to primary address
    move $a0, $t0   # primary address = t0 address (load pointer)
    li $v0, 4       # print string
    syscall

    li $v0, 10      # end program
    syscall