A Writer Reads Tue, 10 Mar 2026 01:43:20 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2414241 en-us © 2026 A Writer Reads yes 7a01dd0a-f688-56c8-b4ad-316f687039f7 raelbuck51@gmail.com Thomas Buckley episodic false Serial reading and discussion of my novel, An Adequate Vocabulary, in my own voice.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Thomas Buckley raelbuck51@gmail.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/78o56k0lg9ezvc0jhlo8qh52r1r9?.jpg A Writer Reads Episode Thirty-One - Postscript Episode Thirty-One - Postscript An explanation of the genesis and evolution of An Adequate Vocabulary, and an clarification of biographical details you could not have known, and about which I may be the only one who cares. 

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]]> An explanation of the genesis and evolution of An Adequate Vocabulary, and an clarification of biographical details you could not have known, and about which I may be the only one who cares. 

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]]> Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-17212485 Sun, 25 May 2025 12:00:00 -0600 552 1 31 full false Episode Thirty - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish Episode Thirty - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish In the final episode we suffer with Mick through the tedium of the DNA analysis, which in the end raises as many questions as it answers. We find the truth of Mick's parentage and birth, and experience the conflicted news of Meghan's pregnancy. And in a brief coda, Mick finally pays the price he knew had to come due. And so, we bid adieu...

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]]> In the final episode we suffer with Mick through the tedium of the DNA analysis, which in the end raises as many questions as it answers. We find the truth of Mick's parentage and birth, and experience the conflicted news of Meghan's pregnancy. And in a brief coda, Mick finally pays the price he knew had to come due. And so, we bid adieu...

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]]> Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-17154235 Sun, 18 May 2025 12:00:00 -0600 2044 1 30 full false Episode Twenty-Nine - No Good Deed Episode Twenty-Nine - No Good Deed Mick does a favor for Billy Baxter, that comes back to bite him. When Billy is arrested, he tries to cut a deal with the police by fingering Mick as a person of interest in a wrongful death: the death of Danny Boy Boyle, the old man in the alley. So, our hero is in trouble with the police, and with his blushing bride. 

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]]> Mick does a favor for Billy Baxter, that comes back to bite him. When Billy is arrested, he tries to cut a deal with the police by fingering Mick as a person of interest in a wrongful death: the death of Danny Boy Boyle, the old man in the alley. So, our hero is in trouble with the police, and with his blushing bride. 

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]]> Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-17089343 Sun, 11 May 2025 12:00:00 -0600 1829 1 29 full false Episode Twenty-Eight - Then Comes Marriage Episode Twenty-Eight - Then Comes Marriage Mick still seems to have trouble not using violence (or a perceived threat thereof) to accomplish his desired ends. At least this one is on the down low. Despite occasional stumbles on the way to the promised land, Meghan and Mick take the leap, and go public through matrimony. 

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]]> Mick still seems to have trouble not using violence (or a perceived threat thereof) to accomplish his desired ends. At least this one is on the down low. Despite occasional stumbles on the way to the promised land, Meghan and Mick take the leap, and go public through matrimony. 

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]]> Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-17066826 Sun, 04 May 2025 12:00:00 -0600 2024 1 28 full false Episode Twenty-Seven - First Comes Love Episode Twenty-Seven - First Comes Love As their relationship deepens, Meghan and Mick start the process of discovery, some accidental, and some by design. But the process is neither smooth nor sure.

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]]> As their relationship deepens, Meghan and Mick start the process of discovery, some accidental, and some by design. But the process is neither smooth nor sure.

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]]> Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-17023581 Sun, 27 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0600 1924 1 27 full true Episode Twenty-Six - Holidays Episode Twenty-Six - Holidays Meghan and Mick try to put some definition around there business and personal relationships. While spending Thanksgiving together presents it's own challenges, being alone together at Christmas is when questions arise, and even inadequate answers are, for the time, enough. 

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]]> Meghan and Mick try to put some definition around there business and personal relationships. While spending Thanksgiving together presents it's own challenges, being alone together at Christmas is when questions arise, and even inadequate answers are, for the time, enough. 

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]]> Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16985173 Sun, 20 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0600 2154 1 26 full false Episode Twenty-Five - Coming Together Episode Twenty-Five - Coming Together St. Patty's at the Pavilion, and Mick gets to use more than his low voice and menace. Stopping a robbery, and taking a bullet in the bargain, Mick emerges as the hero of the hour. So the owner of the Pavilion, Meghan LaPorte (yes, that Meghan), stops by to thank Mick personally, and hires him to work at her health club. 

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]]> St. Patty's at the Pavilion, and Mick gets to use more than his low voice and menace. Stopping a robbery, and taking a bullet in the bargain, Mick emerges as the hero of the hour. So the owner of the Pavilion, Meghan LaPorte (yes, that Meghan), stops by to thank Mick personally, and hires him to work at her health club. 

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]]> Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16940214 Sun, 13 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0600 1863 1 25 full false Episode Twenty-Four - Movin' On Episode Twenty-Four - Movin' On So, Guero agrees to the manner in which he will pay his debt to Don Mendez. In return he is provided transportation back to the States, a new identity, and a wad of cash to send him on his way. After a sojourn of several months in New Mexico, Guero hops on a bicycle and heads east. All the way back to Massachusetts, where he eventually comes to a stop in Worcester, the place he will once again try to find himself. 

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]]> So, Guero agrees to the manner in which he will pay his debt to Don Mendez. In return he is provided transportation back to the States, a new identity, and a wad of cash to send him on his way. After a sojourn of several months in New Mexico, Guero hops on a bicycle and heads east. All the way back to Massachusetts, where he eventually comes to a stop in Worcester, the place he will once again try to find himself. 

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]]> Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16893516 Sun, 06 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0600 1985 1 24 full false Episode Twenty-Three - Managua Episode Twenty-Three - Managua Guero and friends manage to escape the jungle, and make their way safely to Managua. But Managua is not safe, and Guero falls back into the abyss, only to be saved by an unexpected helping hand. 

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]]> Guero and friends manage to escape the jungle, and make their way safely to Managua. But Managua is not safe, and Guero falls back into the abyss, only to be saved by an unexpected helping hand. 

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]]> Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16870911 Sun, 30 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0600 1949 1 23 full false Episode Twenty-Two - Curandera Episode Twenty-Two - Curandera
  • At long last, Meghan finds her way back home. She reunites with Triese, helps as she knows how to, and puts her money to work. Back in Nicaragua, Guero and his impromptu retinue make use of a curandera to help with their battle scars, before it is time to move on. 

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    ]]>
  • At long last, Meghan finds her way back home. She reunites with Triese, helps as she knows how to, and puts her money to work. Back in Nicaragua, Guero and his impromptu retinue make use of a curandera to help with their battle scars, before it is time to move on. 

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16819721 Sun, 23 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0600 1992 1 22 full false     Episode Twenty-One - Boise Episode Twenty-One - Boise Meghan comes to rest in Boise freaking Idaho, where she renews her old friendship with Kat, and meets Kat's mother and daughter. Meghan gets to spend some time with Em, her namesake, before girlhood memories give way to the reality of Kat's mom's illness and passing. 

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    ]]>     Meghan comes to rest in Boise freaking Idaho, where she renews her old friendship with Kat, and meets Kat's mother and daughter. Meghan gets to spend some time with Em, her namesake, before girlhood memories give way to the reality of Kat's mom's illness and passing. 

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16781414 Sun, 16 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0600 1896 1 21 full false     Episode Twenty - Two Goodbyes Episode Twenty - Two Goodbyes After the assassination of Colonel Obando , Guero accompanies El Capitan on a vengeance tour to San Nicolas. But the tour does not end well, and Guero, wounded again, disappears into the jungle. 

    Back in Big Sur Meghan communes with ghosts before selling out and moving back to San Francisco. But even in San Francisco, the past is an obstacle to the future, and Meghan once again takes to the road. 

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    ]]>     After the assassination of Colonel Obando , Guero accompanies El Capitan on a vengeance tour to San Nicolas. But the tour does not end well, and Guero, wounded again, disappears into the jungle. 

    Back in Big Sur Meghan communes with ghosts before selling out and moving back to San Francisco. But even in San Francisco, the past is an obstacle to the future, and Meghan once again takes to the road. 

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16728723 Sun, 09 Mar 2025 13:00:00 -0600 1685 1 20 full false     Episode Nineteen - Betrayal Episode Nineteen - Betrayal Then come the monsoons, and the tedium is interrupted by a visit from Don Mendez. Following his desires, Cantu and Guero undertake a mission in El Rama, a mission that goes irretrievably awry. 

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    ]]>     Then come the monsoons, and the tedium is interrupted by a visit from Don Mendez. Following his desires, Cantu and Guero undertake a mission in El Rama, a mission that goes irretrievably awry. 

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16692797 Sun, 02 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0700 1805 1 19 full false     Episode Eighteen - The Jungle Episode Eighteen - The Jungle Kelleher, now become Guero, has begun his new life, stranger in a strange land, fighting someone else's war.  

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    ]]>     Kelleher, now become Guero, has begun his new life, stranger in a strange land, fighting someone else's war.  

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16648482 Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0700 1826 1 18 full false     Episode Seventeen - An Ending and A Beginning Episode Seventeen - An Ending and A Beginning Meghan , with help from Ali, evolves from a rock and roll widow, into a businesswoman and philanthropist. Until their business relationship runs into an unexpected setback. 

    Meanwhile Kelleher has evolved into something darker and more threatening. We travel with him to Beirut, South Africa and Venezuela, before returning to earth in the suffocating jungles of Nicaragua. 

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    ]]>     Meghan , with help from Ali, evolves from a rock and roll widow, into a businesswoman and philanthropist. Until their business relationship runs into an unexpected setback. 

    Meanwhile Kelleher has evolved into something darker and more threatening. We travel with him to Beirut, South Africa and Venezuela, before returning to earth in the suffocating jungles of Nicaragua. 

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16605179 Sun, 16 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0700 1811 1 17 full false     Episode Sixteen - Living Like a Rock Star Episode Sixteen - Living Like a Rock Star Tommy rocks, Meghan rolls, but fate has plans of its own.

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    ]]>     Tommy rocks, Meghan rolls, but fate has plans of its own.

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16549275 Sun, 09 Feb 2025 15:00:00 -0700 1973 1 16 full false     Episode Fifteen - Into the Dark Episode Fifteen - Into the Dark Kelleher's life goes through a series of rapid changes, moving into an uncertain future.

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    ]]>     Kelleher's life goes through a series of rapid changes, moving into an uncertain future.

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16527617 Sun, 02 Feb 2025 15:00:00 -0700 2267 1 15 full false     Episode Fourteen - Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes Episode Fourteen - Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes Meghan gets married. Kelleher buries his mom, and begins a life of his own devising.

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    ]]>     Meghan gets married. Kelleher buries his mom, and begins a life of his own devising.

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16492856 Sun, 26 Jan 2025 15:00:00 -0700 1815 1 14 full false     Episode Thirteen - It Must Be Love Episode Thirteen - It Must Be Love Music, love and home: Meghan hits the trifecta...

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    ]]>     Music, love and home: Meghan hits the trifecta...

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16399668 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 15:00:00 -0700 2023 1 13 full false     Episode Twelve - Resolution Episode Twelve - Resolution Kelleher faces his nemesis, and Meghan faces an uncertain future.

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    ]]>     Kelleher faces his nemesis, and Meghan faces an uncertain future.

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16393214 Sun, 12 Jan 2025 15:00:00 -0700 1967 1 12 full false     Episode Eleven - Kismet Episode Eleven - Kismet Kelleher gets some bad news, then a surpise he didn't know he'd been waiting for. 

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    ]]>     Kelleher gets some bad news, then a surpise he didn't know he'd been waiting for. 

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16379033 Sun, 05 Jan 2025 15:00:00 -0700 1761 1 11 full false     Episode Ten - What Passes for Normal Episode Ten - What Passes for Normal Meghan moves on, and Kelleher finds a new love.

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    ]]>     Meghan moves on, and Kelleher finds a new love.

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16346503 Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0700 1747 1 10 full false     Episode Nine - The Haight Episode Nine - The Haight Meghan finds her way in the city by the Bay, and eventually finds a friend - or two!

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    ]]>     Meghan finds her way in the city by the Bay, and eventually finds a friend - or two!

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16318229 Sun, 22 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0700 1909 1 9 full false     Episode Eight - Kelleher Episode Eight - Kelleher Francis deals with the aftermath of his savage attack; after meeting Will Wannamaker, Franny begins to reinvent himself as Kelleher. 

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    ]]>     Francis deals with the aftermath of his savage attack; after meeting Will Wannamaker, Franny begins to reinvent himself as Kelleher. 

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16278946 Sun, 15 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0700 1266 1 8 full false     Episode Seven - Wequaquet Episode Seven - Wequaquet Francis experiences young love, before his life changes irrevocably...

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    ]]>     Francis experiences young love, before his life changes irrevocably...

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16234407 Sun, 08 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0700 1214 1 7 full false     Episode Six - A Friend Episode Six - A Friend Francis finds a friend.

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    ]]>     Francis finds a friend.

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16198592 Sun, 01 Dec 2024 18:00:00 -0700 1234 1 6 full false     Episode Five - The Cape Episode Five - The Cape We move forward in time to 1971 on Cape Cod, where we meet Francis, our second protagonist. Growing up Catholic, a stranger and an orphan, we join Francis as he navigates some of the early challenges of his life as an adopted child. 

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    ]]>     We move forward in time to 1971 on Cape Cod, where we meet Francis, our second protagonist. Growing up Catholic, a stranger and an orphan, we join Francis as he navigates some of the early challenges of his life as an adopted child. 

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16158512 Sun, 24 Nov 2024 17:00:00 -0700 1068 1 5 full false     Episode Four - On the Road Episode Four - On the Road Meghan makes her cross-country odyssey, dependent, as always, on the kindness of strangers.

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    ]]>     Meghan makes her cross-country odyssey, dependent, as always, on the kindness of strangers.

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16115561 Sun, 17 Nov 2024 17:00:00 -0700 865 1 4 full false     Episode Three - Loss Episode Three - Loss After an ugly confrontation and heartrending loss, Meghan leaps bravely, and a little blindly, into her future.

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    ]]>     After an ugly confrontation and heartrending loss, Meghan leaps bravely, and a little blindly, into her future.

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16078729 Sun, 10 Nov 2024 17:00:00 -0700 1045 1 3 full false     Episode Two - The Appointment Episode Two - The Appointment Meghan makes the connection she had been hoping for, but things don't go as she had planned. Instead she has to rely once again on her friend Triese for shelter and comfort, as she plans her next steps. When we leave her, she is preparing for a difficult discussion with her da. 

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    ]]>     Meghan makes the connection she had been hoping for, but things don't go as she had planned. Instead she has to rely once again on her friend Triese for shelter and comfort, as she plans her next steps. When we leave her, she is preparing for a difficult discussion with her da. 

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-16041402 Sun, 03 Nov 2024 15:00:00 -0700 873 1 2 full false     Episode One - We Begin Episode One - We Begin The inaugural episode of A Writer Reads, begins with a brief description of the project, a little biographical information about the author, and a sketch of the manuscript from which I will be reading. Then the reading begins with Meghan at her mother's gravesite, and ends with Meghan cold and alone, and wondering what comes next. 

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    ]]>     The inaugural episode of A Writer Reads, begins with a brief description of the project, a little biographical information about the author, and a sketch of the manuscript from which I will be reading. Then the reading begins with Meghan at her mother's gravesite, and ends with Meghan cold and alone, and wondering what comes next. 

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    ]]>     Thomas Buckley Buzzsprout-15999462 Sun, 27 Oct 2024 17:00:00 -0600 1215 1 1 full false