The ComPASSIONATE Writer

A Step-by-step Approach that Supports Your Voice and the Book Within You

6-Week Course/Program
Fall Cohort 2025: October 13 - November 21, 2025

Are you ready to unleash your VOICE?
The world is waiting for you, and so am I…

I Believe in the Power of Your Voice

Do you have a yearning to explore a writing practice, but feel unsure about what to say or where to start?

Do you want to create a deeper relationship with yourself and your writing practice, but your inner critic keeps getting in the way?

Do you have a book in your heart and mind, that speaks to your being and doing — part personal, part professional — but are overwhelmed with the process of writing and the idea of publishing?

We’ve been sold some half-truths about writing and the writing process.

These half-truths go something like this:

  • on the one hand, there is a belief that being a writer requires a certain amount of torture to create something of meaning and value and we can only create from this tortured place;

  • on the other hand is the rarified vision of you writing next to a pond, in some exotic locale (south of France maybe?), with your hair gently blowing in the breeze and the words flying out of you effortlessly.

These are half-truths because the reality is that daily writing is sometimes challenging and feels a little tortured and sometimes glorious and effervescent. Within this story, is the key to why we look at writing as a tortured process. We are constantly chasing the feeling of wholeness and completion when it comes to daily writing and this brings a sense of torture when it doesn’t happen. This isn’t the only way, though — at least it doesn’t have to be.

Some of the books I have helped authors bring to the world.

I am here to DISPEL the MISCONCEPTION of the TORTURED WRITER.

The writing process can be exhilarating and challenging, but it does not have to be tortured and neither do you. It’s time to create a new way and a new story for us as writers and I’m here to show you how.

If you know you have a book in your heart, but you don’t really know where to start, this course is for you. If you have been working on your book for a while, but you are feeling stuck, this course is for you. If you don’t have a book idea for your message and your business, but you want to deepen your writing practice and create a new relationship with writing, this course is also for YOU.

What writers say about working with Heather Doyle Fraser…

  • "Heather was my patient, skillful writing coach who took my messy batch of notes, writings, and flighty ideas and knitted them together into a cohesive flow which helped me craft our twenty-year journey into the beautiful memoir I had seen in my imagination."

    Amy Derck, author of Coming Home to Yourself: Care for the Caregivers

  • "Heather took the fledgling beginnings of my vision for this book and shepherded the manuscript through its many iterations. She went far above and beyond in shaping my manuscript and bringing my voice and my vision to fruition. I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude for her unwavering support and her calming presence as we worked together to bring my book into the world. Thank you for embodying compassion and inspiring me, and for being a steady guidling light through the stormy vicissitudes of my life. My experience of working with Heather has been life-changing."

    Dr. Robin Pfaff, author of Living Your BEST Life with Fibromyalgia: A Compassionate Approach to Reclaim Your Health and Reimagine Your Purpose

  • "I am so grateful for your wise, compassionate counsel in helping me create a product that I am proud of, one that is uniquely mine. Heahter, you helped fulfill a childhood dream to contribute something beneficial and worthy to the world. Your compassionate dedication to me, your work, and your mission are commendable. I am truly honored to be aligned with a person whose values and vision help empower others."

    Kelly Lyn Marquis, author of Best In Show: Intimate Moments with the Masters: Handlers and Their Show Dogs

  • "Heather Doyle Fraser, you are a brilliant and compassionate genius. Without you, this book wouldn’t be a fraction of what it ended up being. You saw things in me that I couldn’t see yet, and you believed in me and this book with so much trust and compassion that it made it possible to get through the times when my belief was shaky. I am forever changed because of our work together."

    Cindy Ingram, author of Art Is About Being Whole: A Memoir

There are five types of people who participate in this program, and I have a hunch that if you are reading this page you fall into one of these categories

  • 1. The Self-Described Writer

    You identify yourself as a writer and have known for a very long time that you would write and publish a book, but you just don’t know how to get over the finish line. You might have a draft or ideas for your book already in process. This course will help you refine and define what you have and the direction you want to go. Some of your ideas or your approach may shift, but you will come to a place of clarity and purpose during this process.

  • 2. The Reluctant Writer

    You enjoy writing… sometimes. Other times it feels so hard and challenging and like the words just won’t come, so you stop trying. Or, you don’t even really start. It’s amazing what compassion instead of criticism can do — as well as some strategies to set yourself up for success — to create momentum and motivation.

  • 3. The Uncertain Writer

    You really enjoy writing and feel compelled to write, but you are unsure about what to write. When you sit down to the page, everything in your mind goes blank, just like the page in front of you, or instead, so many ideas rush to the forefront that you have no idea how to choose one. The structure of a book plan and knowing your WHY, WHO your audience is, and WHO you need to be to write this book can go a long way toward providing a sense of clarity and sureness.

  • 4. The Popcorn Writer

    You have so many ideas that you aren’t sure how to capture them! Sometimes, the sheer enormity of your creativity and the ideas that spark you are overwhelming. You’ve tried to sit down and write so many times, but distractions often get in the way. Starting isn’t the problem—it’s maintaining momentum and completing that feel elusive to you. What if you could harness your individual process to make it work for you, though? You have probably tried many different systems to write your book, but integrating compassion and understanding your WHY is a different approach and one you haven’t tried.

  • 5. The Wounded Writer

    You feel called to write, but you don’t know if you are capable. You probably had one or more difficult or extremely challenging experiences in elementary school, middle school, or high school, where you were told by the teacher that you are not a good writer. You believed them, and this crushed your confidence. No one ever really gave you permission to write just to write, so you didn’t give it to yourself. No one ever took the time to help you sort the big ideas from the small ideas or talk through how to use your strengths while you are writing. It’s amazing to see these writers flourish in this program.

My process is an incremental, step-by-step one that takes into account your unique Voice and Writing Process so that you can write from a place of curiosity, contentment, and possibility rather than a place of constant struggle.

In this Program you will:

  • Cultivate and build a deeper relationship of trust with yourself, your content, and your reader.

  • Clarify your WHY and your motivation for sharing your message.

  • Identify WHO you need to be to start writing, keep writing, and ultimately complete your book.

  • Examine and explore your ideal reader.

  • Learn about the three landscapes of the writing mind, how to prepare them to ensure an unobscured path on your writing journey, and how they connect with your nervous system.

  • Commit to and implement a consistent daily writing practice that supports you and your voice.

  • Compassionately address any fears, blocks, or resistance that show up during our time together and learn compassionate strategies that help you regulate your nervous system and help you deal with difficult or intrusive thoughts as well as a range of emotions when they come up again during the writing process.

  • Create a book plan that will become your best friend and helping hand throughout the book writing and revision process.

  • Discuss resources for self-publishing as well as common misconceptions related to the traditional publishing industry.

  • Not write a book in six weeks, but you will create a foundation that will prepare you to maintain and sustain a writing practice and complete your book.

When Do We Start, and How Often Do We Meet?

  • The Fall 2025 Cohort will begin on Monday, October 13. 

  • This course is a mix of live Zoom learning and group coaching sessions, recorded sessions, guided practices, writing exercises, and resources (see schedule below). Week 1 and Week 3 contain two sessions, and the rest of the weeks contain one session. See the schedule below: a total of 8 live Zoom sessions. Each session will be 60-90 minutes in length, depending on participation.

  • Dates and times for the sessions:

    • Monday Sessions, 4:00 p.m. ET: October 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10, and 14.

    • Thursday Sessions, 4:00 p.m. ET: October 16 and November 6.

    • Be prepared to attend all sessions in person on Zoom. All sessions will be recorded if you would like to watch afterward or if something comes up and you must miss a session. There will also be a closed/private community group on Substack available for added community and support.

  • This course will be very experiential and practical. You will be writing and sharing throughout our time together.

  • Space is limited.

What’s My Investment?

The Course & Group Program

Do you want to say anything here?

The Course, Group Program & Four (1:1) Sessions

If you would like more individual attention, you can add 4 individual coaching sessions with me.

You will have access to all course content even after your program ends. This includes writing exercises, extra content, resources, and video recordings of all sessions. There are no refunds, even if you cannot attend all of the sessions. In addition, you will have access to a private Substack community for ongoing support after your program. All sales are final.

  • "Working with Heather has been life-changing — and not just because she ushered me through the process of creating, writing, and birthing my first book. I’ve learned that writing a book requires healthy doses of self-awareness, willingness to be powerfully changed, and a magnificent release of ego. Heather has held me in this process and the re-architecting of myself. She pairs know-how and intellect with intuitive deftness. She brings real-world experience to the writer’s heart and dreams. She creates supportive structure around what is deeply personal, and sometimes fraught, for the author. She pushes back with kindness and humor; she urges with steadiness and assurance. She listens, honors, responds, and guides. The process of book-writing is sacred and Heather knows this. She is supremely suited for what she does: standing sentry on behalf of the writer, her voice, her book, and herself.”

    Katie Benway, Author of Ignite Your Intrepid Soul: A Courageous Home for Your Human Heart

  • “Heather is not only an incredible editor, but a great coach and friend. When I got off track or stalled for one reason or another, she always pushed me through with a perfect blend of inspiration, encouragement, and reality. I learned so much from Heather. She has a true gift for helping people find their voice.”

    Brady Sadler, Author of Collaboration Is King: How Game-Changers Create Marketing Partnerships That Build Brands and Grow Businesses

  • “The Compassionate Writer was the perfect way to jump-start my dream of writing a book. The program gave me flexibility, accountability, and community. We learned to set up and hone in on our writing practice and how to overcome the obstacles that surface for most writers, all while embracing self-compassion. If you are a new writer, this program will help you take the first step, and if you are a more experienced writer, it will help you look at your relationship with writing in a new way, helping you to create fresh, new ideas.”

    Kerry Hope, Women’s Empowerment Coach, Author of Your Triple Goddess

  • "I’ve been in numerous writing programs and have had a number of writing coaches so when I was first introduced to Heather’s writing course, I was hesitant. Six weeks didn’t feel like much time at all and my schedule was already full, but I kept coming back to it. OMG, I am so glad I signed up! The list of what I accomplished in six weeks is extensive, but of course there is one thing that stood out the most… I feel back in love with my book, with my writing, and with myself as a writer. The space Heather creates is nourishing and also filled with solid experience and insight.”

    Sara Alvarado, writer, teacher, speaker

  • “Heather’s program not only provided tools for simplifying the writing process, it shifted my mindset about writing. Her process takes the stress out of writing and releases greater clarity and focus. Heather’s fun, passionate, and engaging style created an environment for personal growth and learning.”

    Janet Huelhs, Ms Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Certified Health Coach, Certified Yoga Teacher

  • "I am not a writer" was a thought that repeated itself over and over in my head, despite being a published author in a women's anthology and writing for years on my social media platforms. The belief stemmed from old creative wounds from childhood and college, and manifested in me holding myself back in many ways professionally. The Compassionate Writer allowed space for many of these old wounds to surface and release. Heather held space for me with compassion, and she helped me to be more compassionate with myself.”

    Jill Keuth, Life Coach

  • “Heather Doyle Fraser coached, cajoled, and edited our vision into a book. We would still be talking about writing a book and making notes on Post-Its without her. Through it all, she guided us with confidence and kindness to the final destination.”

    Lori Brown and Angela Miller Barton, bloggers & authors of Lowi & G: Living Outside the Lines

  • “Heather is professional and passionate about helping others. She helped me to create a book that flowed nicely for the reader and then she walked me through the process of self-publishing. There are many details to this process, but Heather covered all the things I needed to do to get my book published. Heather is encouraging and created time for me anytime I had a question or felt overwhelmed with the publishing process. Thanks to Heather’s help I am now selling copies of my book on Amazon and in stores!”

    David Howard, PhD and author of The Path to Higher Consciousness

  • “Heather Doyle Fraser, has put together a fabulous writing program. It was my work with Heather that truly gave me the courage to bring forth my book. She was there every step of the way for me—guiding, nudging, gently suggesting, supporting, laughing, holding me while I cried. She knew what would come up deep inside me to be released. Fears and doubt that needed to be experienced so that my authentic voice could speak. Working with Heather gave me accountability. Without her I might have let other things take priority and my book would have stayed a dream instead of a reality. I highly recommend her program if you have the dream of a book inside you.”

    Carolyn Barnes, LMT, Return to Ease Health & Wellness Author of Return to Ease: Gently Reconnect with Your Body's Natural Mobility and Joy

  • “I can’t wait to work with Heather again. She must get tired of hearing that! My first experience with Heather is when she coached me through writing my first book. I say first book because I cannot wait to have her coach me through my second book as well. In a matter of days - albeit long days - Heather took the fragments of an idea and a loosely told story and guided me patiently through the entire process. Without hesitation, I recommend Heather for anyone needing guidance from a coach with a professional attitude and work ethic. She literally is the best.”

    Patrick Buzzard, recording artist, author and software developer

Envisioning Compassion as the Cornerstone of the Writing Process

I have been doing this work with writers one-on-one for over 25 years. I started working in the traditional corporate publishing industry in 1997 and transitioned to coaching and the self-publishing arena in 2012. I have helped writers publish their books in both ways and know the ins and outs of both industries. What I offer is something different: an amazing publishing experience that is characterized by excellence, professionalism, skill, and compassion in a hybrid-publishing, print-on-demand environment.

Every one of the authors I have published through my hybrid publishing company, Compassionate Mind Collaborative, has gone through this program in either a group or individual setting.

I have the expertise, knowledge, and skills in publishing and coaching layered with a compassionate process and approach — a combination that you won’t find anywhere else. If you have tried the tortured writer approach and it isn’t working for you, Welcome! I am so excited to finally be able to share this course with you now in a live online group setting, and I can’t wait to see how your book unfolds.

What writers say about working with Heather Doyle Fraser…

  • "Heather Doyle Fraser, this book would not exist without your patience, your compassion, your skill, your professional offerings, and your exquisite content creation and organization. You held my vision for years without any scarcity or slime, only love and almost supernatural knowing. You model compassion —you always have— and the way you hold the creative process is exactly the way I needed to be set free as a writer."

    Allison Crow, author of Unarmored: Finding Home in the Wild Edges of Being Human

  • "If I had not blindly registered for a writing class that Heather taught through Wellcoaches, I wouldn’t be holding my book right now. I’ve learned that writing a book is an arduous process; I shudder to think what my book would say if not for Heather."

    Holly Margl author of Witnessing Grief: Inviting Trauma and Loss to Our Coaching Conversations, An Enneagram Perspective

  • "Heather Doyle Fraser helped my book come to fruition with her knowledge and expertise. Seed, Stem, Bloom would not be what it is today without her support and guidance. Heather is an invaluable coach, providing attention to detail, insight, and a collaborative mind. Thank you for believing in my story."

    Mary Robinson, author of Seed, Stem, Bloom: Lessons from My Faith-led Journey through CANcer

  • “I took Heather’s 6-week writing course and loved every second of it! I was not able to make very many of the live calls but I participated through the recordings and the activities. It helped me come up with new ways to work past my writing blocks and to move into a place of greater strength and belief in myself and my writing. I would highly encourage this course! Thank you to Heather and the beautiful souls in my group!”

    Rachel Cerchia

If you have questions or would like to schedule a conversation with Heather to see if this course would be a good fit for you, please complete the form below.