Chuck Palahniuk
hosted by Tony DuShane

Picture meeting one of your favorite authors.  Shaking the hand that penned literary brilliance.  It can turn you into a blubbering idiot.

Picture yourself running a literary 'zine, still fanatically reading your favorite authors, continuing to worship the written word, being perceived as a media outlet because you've developed a decent following over the last two years.

I am the fanatic.  I am the fumbling, blubbering idiot masquerading as a legitimate journalist.  I am a publicist's worst nightmare.

Chuck Palahniuk is the author of Fight Club, Survivor, Invisible Monsters and Choke.  His latest book, Lullaby, comes out this month.

I arrange to meet Chuck Palahniuk at a pub in Berkeley.  My wife accompanies me to hold the microphone.  Her hands won't shake as much as mine might.

I recognize Chuck as he walks through the door.

"Tony DuShane?" he says as I call him over. 

Introductions and small talk all around.  The bar wench takes our order.  And here's where you become a fly on the wall of our conversation.

Chuck Palahniuk interview part 1:
Putting drugs in books, writing process, quitting day job, inappropriate social response, journalism (8:53)