Daily Inspiration: Meet Laurie Fagen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Fagen

Laurie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a self-proclaimed “serial entrepreneur” as a writer, artist and singer.
I’ve been a long-time “writer by habit,” who has written for commercial and cable television, commercial radio, corporate video, magazines, newspapers and am now crime fiction novels and short stories. I started my news writing career at KTAR Radio, an all news/sports radio station in Phoenix, AZ while going to Arizona State University, and my first job was giving live traffic reports from an airplane flying over the city. I worked full time for the station after graduation as an assistant producer for a talk show until moving into television news.
While attending college classes, I heard a speaker talk about writing screenplays, and I dabbled in scriptwriting for a few years as well, mostly writing spec scripts for TV and film. One of my “Magnum, P.I.” spec scripts got sent to Universal, and I got a call one day complimenting me on my dialogue, characterization and story – but actor Tom Selleck had just decided not to continue with the show after about 8 seasons, and they were already committed for that last season. But it was a great reinforcement!
I was asked to do a rewrite on a film script based on a Japanese comic book, which took me to San Francisco area for a couple of weeks. The project went into “development hell” for a couple of years and was never made, but I got paid for my work.
I also enjoy writing short stories, and have several fiction and nonfiction stories published.
I started creating fiber art in my 40s, designing art quilts, and have branched out into making jewelry as well. I had to start another business called “Fagen Designs” to support my addiction to fabric and thread!
I was lucky to have had long-standing gigs in restaurants and clubs singing classic jazz with a piano player, and still perform from time to time.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I relied on a lot of networking to get various jobs in television and radio, and knowing someone really was key to moving up. I’ve tried my best to help others along the way since then.
Making art is challenging, especially since the pandemic, when no one was buying art. We had to get creative with online art auctions and other ways to promote and sell art.
I love to sing, but many restaurants don’t see the value and hence don’t pay like they used to. So I just pick and choose projects where I enjoy performing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I design and create fiber art quilts out of fabrics and surface design techniques.
I’ve been taking my original photos, digitalling transferring them to fabric, and “thread-painting” with rayon and metallic threads to create dimension and shading.
I will have my fiber art in a three women show “Looking Backward, Going Forward” at the Holland Center in Scottsdale Sept. 23 through Nov. 25. I recently showed about a dozen fiber pieces at the Esker Arts Centre in Tullamore, Ireland as part of an eight-person show with four artists from Chandler, AZ and four from Tullamore in our sister city organization.
I also create jewelry out of polymer clay because it’s fun to work with, very lightweight, and you can create about anything you can imagine.
I write crime fiction mystery novels and short stories, and will be the writing facilitator for Creative Arts Retreats in Tullamore, Ireland in May/June 2025.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I was happy to show up to Zoom meetings – which meant not having to get all dressed up and not requiring a drive across town. I could also get up for another cup of coffee or bathroom break by just turning off the camera.
Many people disliked Zoom after a while, but I still prefer those meetings as being more efficient, very effective and cost effective too.

Contact Info:

• Website: ReadLaurieFagen.com, FagenDesigns.com, and LaurieFagen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriefagenfagendesigns/, https://www.instagram.com/read_laurie_fagen/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReadLaurieFagen, https://www.facebook.com/FagenDesigns/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurieNFagen, https://www.youtube.com/@readlauriefagenmurderintheair/featured