I didn’t know a lot about the screenwriting industry before this year, but after the SAG-AFTRA strike earlier this year, and now after listening to Patty Lin’s memoir END CREDITS, I can confidently say that I know just a little bit more. 

End Credits is one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to lately, and the way Lin narrated her experiences pursuing a screenwriting career in Hollywood as an Asian American woman was equal parts captivating (the writing) and disappointing (the industry). Much of the memoir was spent explaining her early experiences in the industry in her twenties–which felt especially relevant to me, as an aspiring creative in her early twenties.

How do you decide if your professional dreams come at too high a personal cost? This question is the overarching theme of Lin’s memoir, and also a question I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. From the sexism and racism to the utter lack of work-life balance and constant verbal abuse, Lin walks the reader through her experiences writing for an array of popular TV shows: Friends, Breaking Bad, Desperate Housewives. 

We need more stories like this; stories that emphasize taking care of yourself and your physical and mental wellbeing over your career goals when your work environment isn’t conducive to either. I also hope that Hollywood learns from people like Lin speaking out about their experiences (even though that’s doubtful), and that stories like this one inspires more people to speak out, too.