What is your Inquiry Question? Has the focus of your inquiry shifted or changed since you wrote your Personal Learning Plan?

My Inquiry Question is: How can I go through the process of publishing a short story, and how far can I take my publishing journey? The focus of my inquiry has not changed very much, but my publishing endeavor has taken me in some exciting directions and I am exploring new opportunities for my short story that I didn’t think were possible at the time of writing my Personal Learning Plan. 

How is your time management? Are you using CENT time weekly to work on your Inquiry, or are you finding other time during the week? 

My time management has been good. I have been using CENT time for IDS every week unless I am requested to be somewhere else by another teacher, and I have been doing work for my inquiry outside of school when I’m unable to dedicate CENT time for IDS. 

What resources (people, websites, apps, videos, etc.) have been most helpful? 

My mentor teacher Ms. Hothi has been very helpful with connecting me to opportunities and providing guidance for my process. I have also been referring to the Voices Visible writing contest website in order to guide my editing so that the story fits the contest guidelines.  

What challenges are you currently facing with your Inquiry? What challenges have you overcome? 

I am currently facing the challenge of finding a new title for my short story. My story was initially titled “The Wedding”, but I have since decided to find a more imaginative title. This has been a bit daunting, as the title of a story can sometimes determine whether or not a reader is interested. A challenge that I have overcome is the process of editing my story, as I had to cut down my word count from 2500 words to 1500 words in order to fit the Voices Visible criteria. This was a difficult and lengthy process, but I am proud of my work. This editing also made it possible for me to submit my story to a magazine, as the word count for the magazine aligned with the Voices Visible contest. 

Describe your growth of a Core Competency through this inquiry process. 

I have grown in the Communication Core Competency. During my publishing journey so far, I have collaborated with my Mentor teacher and had weekly meetings where we discussed my progress. I have practiced my skills in efficiently communicating information and brainstorming ideas. I have also learned skills in email writing, as I have had to write concise, professional emails when submitting my work for publication. 

How will you share what you have been learning, creating or planning in this Inquiry? Are you on track to share your learning by the end of May or early June? 

I plan to share my learning though a presentation such as a PowerPoint presentation or Flipbook. I am on track so far to share my learning by early June, but I am not sure when I will hear back from the places that I have submitted my story. 

Will you continue working on this Inquiry, or parts of it, for your Capstone next year? 

I may continue working on this inquiry, as I have found it to be an enjoyable and rewarding process. I could take other writing that I have done and try to get it published as well.