What is a creative sniper you ask? These are well meaning people, often close family and friends, that literally and figuratively "shoot down" your creative ideas. We don't even know what hit us. You know the feeling. You have a great inspiration for an upstart business, painting, novel, song, etc... and you can't wait to share this exciting idea with those who are close to you. They'll be so excited. Surely they'll see what I see, you tell yourself. They'll feel what I feel. They'll want to know more about this and support me with it. Right? Wrong!

Creative sniper is a term coined by the amazingly talented author, playwright and teacher Julia Cameron. Cameron is widely known for her beloved book The Artist's Way. The follow up book is titled The Vein of Gold: A Journey to Your Creative Heart and in this work she writes a deeply introspective view of nurturing budding creativity.

We have been blocked for most of our lives, especially the adult years. When we finally begin to listen within to the creative voice that longs to be heard we typically have no idea what it will look like, sound like or feel like. What we do know is that we have to allow it to come out. Cameron likens this to birthing your creative project. And, like any loving parent, we need to protect it in its early stages.

The biggest mistake most of us make is sharing our "newborn" endeavor much too soon. And, what's even more tragic, is that it's typically with those who have not been in touch with their creativity since they were children.

You know the story. You get all excited because you went to a lecture or a class or watched a program that spoke to you on a deep, cellular level. It's as if the person was speaking directly to you. For you. About you. It awakens something inside of you that has been asleep since you were a child. Now, you can't stop thinking about it. You search books, the internet, journals, anything you can get your hands on to learn more about this.

You allow yourself to dream. You are scared because it's been a very long time. But, you do it anyway. The excitement begins to build and you can feel yourself living this creative life. You are happier than you've been in a very long time. You feel more joyful. You feel that you are back on track with your purpose. Life is starting to feel alive again.

So, you tell your good friend. And just like that they say, "oh... dreams. That's all they are... dreams. No one makes money doing that. Hope you have a trust fund. Hope you have a sugar mama/daddy." It doesn't take much to pop the hole in your balloon.

You make out like it's not a big deal and agree with them. Hurry and change the subject. Inside though, you are devastated. Hurt. Sad. Angry. Confused. Bewildered.

This is exactly what Cameron is describing. The Creative Sniper hit you. Bullseye. Right where it hurts.

Now, the irony is they probably have no idea they hurt you so much. In reality, they have been over-riding their own creativity for years and these are the lines they grew up with. These are the lines they have repeated over and over in their own heads to numb out the pain. Support for creativity has been missing in action for decades. They simply cannot give to you what they don't give themselves.

What's the antidote? Is there a way to avoid creative snipers? The answer is two-fold.

The first is to write a list of 10 people you know are creative snipers in your inner circle of friends and family. It's the old adage of knowing what you are up against. Include those that you suspect of sniping, even though you want to believe they have your best interests at heart. The gold here is in naming what is true. Not what you want to be true, but what is really true.

The second wonderful pearl of wisdom is to keep it to yourself. You read that right. Containment is the name of the game. Not forever. Only to be revealed when you have enough strength inside to showcase and tell others without it rocking your foundation to the core.

Personally, I would like to add that when you are ready be sure-- and I mean absolutely sure-- that it is to someone safe. You may even need to tell this person ahead of time not to give you any feedback. You simply want to share something deeply personal and exciting. All you want is support at this time.

Most people I know will honor this if you set up the parameters ahead of time. That way both of you know what's expected. No hoping they don't crush your dreams and pipe in their two cents worth. Be very clear that you are not looking for any projections. You just need someone to voice it to out loud.

By us following our instincts and allowing ourselves to get in touch with our creativity it may just inspire others to do the same. Too many people are living lives that are dreary, boring and lack-luster. Dare to dream. Dare to be creative. Dare to be different. Dare to contain the magic.