There have been so many moments where I’ve felt like I didn’t belong in the world the way it was structured, especially when it came to career expectations and success. Growing up, I absorbed the message that being an artist wasn’t a “real” job, that writing was a cute hobby but not a sustainable path. That belief system created a lot of internal conflict for me.
When I first started pursuing writing seriously, I faced rejection after rejection, and that external validation never came. Financial instability was another huge challenge. I left stable work to bet on myself, on my writing, and that’s terrifying when there’s no clear roadmap.
But one of the biggest challenges has been battling self-doubt. I’ve had to unlearn so much conditioning around productivity, worth, and what it means to be successful. I realised that if I wanted to be an artist, I had to give myself permission first. No one was going to hand that to me.
Those struggles are exactly why I do what I do today. I don’t want anyone to feel as alone as I did when I was trying to navigate a creative life without guidance. That’s why I started Inspired to Write, to create a space where artists feel seen and encouraged. I share openly about the challenges of creativity: the fear, the impostor syndrome, the financial realities, because I wish someone had done that for me when I was starting.
I’ve also built workshops, books, and courses that help artists work through these struggles, because it’s not enough to just say, “Follow your dreams!” People need tools, mindsets, and practical strategies to actually make it work.
The experience and journey of going against the grain and challenging the norm have been exhausting and freeing in equal measure. There were so many moments where I thought I was crazy for trying to carve out a life that didn’t fit the traditional mould. It’s hard to push against something so deeply ingrained, whether it’s societal expectations, financial fears, or the idea that you have to wait for permission to be an artist.
But the further I have gone, the more I have realised how many people feel the same way. I have found a community of rebels, of creatives who are also fighting for their place in the world.
There needs to be a massive cultural shift in how we view creativity and success. We still treat art as something “extra” rather than essential. That affects everything—from how kids are taught about creativity in school to how we fund and support artists in society.
On a personal level, I think we need better education around the realities of making a living as an artist. There’s this all-or-nothing myth—either you’re a starving artist or a mega-successful one. The truth is, most of us exist in between, and that’s okay. More transparency, more conversations about creative business models, and more support structures would all make a huge difference.
Publishing We Need Your Art was a huge moment for me. That book was years in the making, and it represents everything I’ve been trying to say to artists. Seeing it out in the world, knowing it’s reaching people—it’s surreal.
Building Inspired to Write into a community that actually changes people’s lives is another milestone I’m really proud of. I get messages every day from artists who tell me they kept going because of something I said, or that they finally gave themselves permission to write or paint or create. That means everything.
And on a personal level, I am proud of the fact that I am still here, still doing this, still fighting for my art.
I am a Disruptor because I refuse to play by the rules that say artists can’t succeed on their own terms. I challenge the belief that creative work is frivolous. I question the structures that tell us success has to look a certain way.
I talk about things people don’t always want to hear—like the fact that rejection is inevitable, that financial fear is part of the process, that being an artist means choosing yourself again and again. I try to bring the reality of this life into the open because I think it’s the only way we can create a better future for artists.
Most of all, I’m a Disruptor because I remind people of something the world often tries to make them forget: Your art matters. Your voice matters. Keep going.
Amie McNee is an author, artist, and speaker dedicated to helping creatives build meaningful, fulfilling lives. Best known for her platform Inspired to Write, she empowers artists to challenge the narratives that hold them back and embrace the messy, magical process of creation. Amie’s books and coaching inspire thousands to break free from perfectionism, self-doubt, and the belief that art isn’t “real work.”
Her latest book, We Need Your Art, is a manifesto for the creative spirit in a world that undervalues artistry. Through her writing, podcast (The Unpublished Podcast), and speaking engagements, Amie champions a life that is driven by passion, purpose, and unapologetic creative ambition.
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