Measured by Letters, Remembered by Readers

Evan Swensen
May 16, 2025

In the English alphabet, each letter holds a position: A is 1, B is 2, C is 3, and so on through Z at 26. Using this simple structure, we assigned numerical values to ten attributes commonly linked to effective, impactful writers.

These ten attributes—Clarity, Courage, Conviction, Empathy, Discipline, Integrity, Curiosity, Resilience, Vision, and Humility—are often emphasized in creative writing and author training programs. In workshops, author interviews, and marketing seminars, these traits are frequently cited as essential to storytelling and public engagement.

Each attribute was converted into a total numerical value based on the alphabet: the sum of the values of its individual letters. For example, the word Clarity contains the letters C (3), L (12), A (1), R (18), I (9), T (20), and Y (25), totaling 88.

Here are the full results:

Attribute	Total Value
Curiosity	139
Integrity	127
Conviction	124
Humility	117
Discipline	100
Resilience	99
Clarity	88
Empathy	88
Vision	88
Courage	70

Curiosity, at 139, earned the highest score. This aligns with research indicating curiosity contributes significantly to original thought and idea generation—skills vital to writers, as noted in multiple academic sources, including the Journal of Creative Behavior and Harvard Business Review.

Integrity, scoring 127, is consistently emphasized in reader surveys. According to Edelman Trust Barometer data, audiences are more likely to engage with content they perceive as honest and transparent—critical traits for authors seeking lasting readership.

Conviction followed at 124. In marketing and public speaking studies, conviction—the clear, unwavering communication of a core message—is cited as one of the most effective ways to persuade and build trust.

At the lower end, Courage scored 70. While its numeric value was lowest, courage remains central to the writing process. Many authors, including Maya Angelou and Stephen King, have publicly discussed the personal vulnerability required to share one’s work. Courage may not carry the highest numeric total, but it is undeniably foundational.

The consistent score of 88 for Clarity, Empathy, and Vision is notable. These traits are closely connected in writing instruction. Clarity allows meaning to surface. Empathy bridges writer and reader. Vision gives direction. Together, they anchor writing with both emotional and intellectual purpose.

This exercise doesn’t imply that a higher-scoring word is more valuable in life or art. It’s simply a structured way of visualizing the architecture of language, and visualization leads to reflection. If the building blocks of language carry weight, then every letter matters—and every word we choose does more than convey information. It shapes how our work is received.

For authors working to become better marketers, the takeaway is straightforward. The attributes that build great writing also build trust. You can’t separate what’s on the page from how it’s received in the world. When authors write and market with Curiosity, Integrity, and Conviction, readers notice.

Writing is not just an act of expression—it’s a craft built letter by letter, word by word. This exercise—assigning value to each letter—isn’t about finding secrets or codes. It’s about renewing attention. It’s a reminder that language, when used well, holds weight.

And in writing—as in life—what carries weight tends to last.

For writers drawn to something deeper than solitary progress, there’s Author Masterminds. More than a network, it’s a community grounded in shared purpose. A place where stories grow stronger, voices grow clearer, and writers walk the path together—through feedback, revision, and growth.

Here, writing isn’t a lonely pursuit. It’s a mission shared by authors who know the terrain: the rewrites, the rejections, the small wins that matter. In Author Masterminds, members exchange marketing insights, offer practical support, and grow together—not just as writers, but as professionals building lasting careers.

If you’re looking for a space where you don’t have to navigate the challenges of authorship alone, this is where you belong. We don’t just write. We write with purpose. And we do it together.

Learn more about how to become a part of it here: https://bit.ly/4k6lvg1.