Minimalism seems closest to the sophisticated storytelling of movies. Movies have really educated contemporary audiences to be the most intelligent, sophisticated audiences in history. We don’t any longer need to have the relationship between one scene and the next explained. We will figure it out ourselves. – Chuck Palahniuk
If we all lived according to the teachings of Jesus Christ, life would be much simpler. – Chuck Palahniuk
While writing, I tend to repeat the same song, endlessly, for thousands of times. This helps me ignore any lyrics, and helps create a consistent mood for each book. – Chuck Palahniuk
Personal identity seems like it’s just such an American archetype, from Holly Golightly re-inventing herself in ‘Breakfast At Tiffany’s’ to Jay Gatsby in ‘The Great Gatsby.’ It seems like the sort of archetypal American issue. If you’re given the freedom to be anything, or be anyone, what do you do with it? – Chuck Palahniuk
When I visit my brother in South Africa, I order things I’ve only seen in zoos. Little deers and kudu, all the mammals you would never think of eating. – Chuck Palahniuk
My teacher Tom Spanbauer, the man who got me started writing in his workshop, used to say: ‘Writers write because they weren’t invited to a party.’ That always struck so true, and people always nod their heads when they hear that. Especially writers. – Chuck Palahniuk
What I’m always trying to do with every book is to recreate the effect of the stories we heard as children in front of campfires and fireplaces – the ghost stories that engaged us. – Chuck Palahniuk
I live by fallacy. ‘If I get enough nice Ikea furniture, I’ll be a grown-up.’ Then I catch myself. Or, ‘If I get off by myself, away from the stress of modern life, I’ll be OK.’ Then I catch myself. – Chuck Palahniuk
I try to forget about the expectation that’s out there and the audience listening for the next thing so that I’m not trying to please them. I’ve spent a huge amount of time not communicating with those folks and denying that they exist. – Chuck Palahniuk
Arguing that God doesn’t exist would be like people in the 10th century arguing that germs and microbes didn’t exist because they couldn’t see them. – Chuck Palahniuk
I like to get people moving and jumping. I think it’s good to add more emotion and chaos. – Chuck Palahniuk
My grandfather was hit over the head by a crane boom in Seattle. Some of the family claimed he was never a violent, crazy person before that. Some say he was. It depends who you believe. – Chuck Palahniuk
Sometimes, like in ‘Invisible Monsters,’ I get too out of control, and instead of a plot point every chapter, I want a plot point in every sentence. – Chuck Palahniuk
Every decade, we get a stunning collection of dynamic, heartbreaking short stories. In the past, those collections came from Barry Hannah, Mark Richard, and Thom Jones. – Chuck Palahniuk
I wanted to write about the moment when your addictions no longer hide the truth from you. When your whole life breaks down. That’s the moment when you have to somehow choose what your life is going to be about. – Chuck Palahniuk
Sundays tend to be a day where just I do nothing but visit people. It’s kind of like trick-or-treating. – Chuck Palahniuk
I love the power of words – no music or special effects – and I want to demonstrate that power. – Chuck Palahniuk