A conversation with Lina Patel
Lina, a writer at The New Harmony Project conference in 2011 and 2021, is a co-moderator and member of Rogue Machine Theater's inaugural Playwright's Roundtable, a member of the 2024 Lark Playwrights Workshop at 2nd Stage, and a member of Ammunition Theatre Company's 2023 Playwrights Lab. Currently working on her original series about the razor’s edge where law enforcement meets mental health, Lina is also developing an hybrid-animation YA fantasy series with Trioscope Studios and her first graphic novel anthology series.
When you think about your time in New Harmony, what memories come to mind?
My first time at NHP was wonderful! Mid-way through my family came out. I remember my four-year old was roaming about, as kids tend to do in New Harmony. I was tucked away writing. My husband was nearby but apparently not hovering because I heard from Theresa Rebeck (2011, 2007, 2005, 2002) later that my kiddo stumbled into rehearsal, saw several people looking very seriously at their scripts, and asked, "Why so quiet?" It cracked everyone up. My child grinned and ran off to disrupt something else, no doubt. At that conference I met playwright, TV writer, and current WGA President, Meredith Stiehm (2016, 2011, 2009). In Los Angeles, she encouraged and helped me to begin to write for television.
My second time at NHP was more recent. It was my first emerging-from-the-pandemic trip!
I was nervous on the flight. I met company manager Blake Elliott at the airport and confessed my nerves, deadlines, goals, and fatigue. Blake said that sometimes "rest is work." It reminded me that I was in southern Indiana. It was going to be okay. The 2021 conference made it possible for writers to bring a collaborator and I invited Jennifer Chang (2021). It was with Jen at NHP that I began working on a commission from Playwright's Arena and UCLA to adapt Lope De Vega's WIDOW OF VALENCIA. I had no idea what I was going to do. I was concurrently working on a television pitch. At the barn, I pitched my series to the group and got incredible encouragement and feedback (I have since written the pilot). Meanwhile, my commissioned play is done and being published this year by Bloomsbury, U.K. I met a lot of wonderful artists in 2021 who I stay in touch with, including the lovely Vichet Chum (2021, 2018, 2008)—in fact, we recently sat down in real life in New York City to have coffee.
Who are your influences and what inspires you?
Maria Irene Fornes, Tennessee Williams, Virginia Woolf, and Chekhov - writers whose work is intimate, heartbreaking, funny stories with timeless themes. But my love of story initially grew out of comics rooted in the ancient epic, "The Mahabharata." The comics took various stories from this 18 volume epic and delivered them in easily digestible, action-packed and colorful form. They had me spellbound; here were darkly complex protagonists, male, female, and non-binary; stories full of nuance and ambiguity, asking the biggest questions all set in a multi-colored, mult-faceted, multiverse - way before Marvel. I have since read and reread translations of the actual epic, right alongside the Greeks and other mythologies.
Do you have a daily writing ritual?
I try to write each morning after my daughter goes to school. This is when I am not staffed in a television writer's room. When I am staffed or on deadline for something I am developing with a studio, there is no ritual - I write where and when I can. If I am not on deadline I give myself deadlines by asking a friend to read something and telling them when I will send it. These asks are precious, so I'm very mindful about reaching out to writers whose feedback I value. And I can sometimes get myopically mired in research and my field of vision narrows, which is useful up to a point. But after that point, I make myself step away from my notes and computer. I walk. I read actual books - unrelated to my current script. I make a date to see theater, films, and go to museums. It is replenishing and allows my subconscious to work on the script even while I shift my environment. Very helpful!
Do you have any insights to offer Other writers and artists?
Theater is still challenging for me to break into! And currently, the industry is undergoing a lot of change. I don't think I have any special advice except try to focus less on the end result and more on your process. Just write and rewrite and focus on craft. In that journey, you will find your supporters. I've faced all sorts of obstacles - not limited to race. Socio-economic, being a woman, etc. But I try not to fixate on that. I try constantly to find artists I admire, who are good people, and who I can talk about the work with. It's about the work, ultimately. The Dramatists Guild, the Playwrights’ Center - great places to keep in the loop about competitions and other development opportunities. I actively seek writer's groups. I've recently said, Yes, to teaching and that has opened up other opportunities that serve me professionally.
What’s your dream project?
My dream project for the future is learning to grow something in my garden, preferably with my daughter so I can step away from my desk and get my hands dirty.
More about Lina at linapatelwriter.com