5 Fun (and Funny) Things About Clara Mathews, Copywriter
Before you decide to work with a copywriter, you probably want to know a little more about that person than what is on their resume or LinkedIn profile.
Even though I have more than a decade of experience writing copy for businesses in the hospitality, recruiting & Staffing, retail, home interiors, and Saas industries, it is still true that ‘people do business with people they KNOW - LIKE and TRUST.
I have an About page that describes the types of clients I generally work with and a Work with Me page that outlines my process, but I thought it might also help clients get to know me personally.
1. I bake bread the old-fashioned way - on purpose.
No machines, no shortcuts. Just flour, yeast, patience, and knowing when to walk away and just let it rise. Writing isn’t all that different. It’s simple, but it requires clarity, knowledge of the science behind the process, timing, and persistence, especially when the words don’t come out right away.
2. I’m basically a blend of Peggy Olson meets Liz Lemon.
Even though I’ve had other careers in retail and hospitality, as a Corporate Concierge, which I really loved, I always knew that I wanted to be a writer. Like Peggy Olson, the secretary turned copywriter on Mad Men, I care about the craft and the art of writing, and I see life through the lens of words. And much like 30 Rock’s quirky Liz Lemon, I love a smart joke, a witty turn of phrase, and a good snack.
A good friend once told me,” You don’t have a sweet tooth, ALL your teeth are sweet.” I love chocolate in all its forms. No, white chocolate is not real chocolate! Yes. Pancakes for dinner is a balanced meal when you add blueberries to the pancakes.
So if you ever catch me writing copy with a bar of XoXo Milk Chocolate in one hand and a peanut donut in the other, just know: I’m thriving.
3. I write with tea, tunes, a packed planner, and zero small talk before Noon.
I am not a morning person by nature, but by necessity I get my creative flow going with a steaming pot of hot, strong English Breakfast tea, a podcast from my playlist or some Broadway showtunes (”I’m not throwing away my shot”…or beter yet, “I wrote my way out”), and ideally a slow morning.
Once the rhythm and the caffeine click, I’m locked in and in the zone. I might pause for more tea or a quick five-minute walk to get my thoughts flowing.
As a (semi-compulsive) list maker, I live and die by my paper planner. Yes, I know there are digital tools and calendars galore, but for me, pen and paper are linked to my creativity on a primordial level.
4. Culture inspires how I write and how I listen.
I’m drawn to and interested in other cultures and stories that unfold in languages other than my own. From K-dramas with their complex, slowly unfolding, and emotionally charged stories, to Indian (Tamil, Telugu, and Bollywood) movies that blend love, heartbreak, and humor with colorful dance numbers, and Latin music layered with hot beats, cool rhythms, and emotions. These aren’t just entertainment for me. They’re lessons in storytelling.
Watching how different cultures build tension, reveal character, or land an emotional payoff has taught me to pay attention to detail.
The pacing.
The emotion.
The power of one well-placed line or word. That kind of storytelling influences how I approach copywriting, no matter the industry.
These lessons shape how I listen to and understand people, as well as what motivates them. It also helps me to write with empathy, understanding, and precision. I’m also reminded that not all good stories shout—sometimes, the best ones whisper in subtitles.
And, yes: my Netflix and Spotify algorithms are doing the heavy lifting. I regret nothing!
5. Yeah. I’m fun, but I get the job done!
Clients, colleagues, and friends call me creative, sharp, witty, ethical, and dependable. I take that seriously. I’ll laugh with you, quote a movie at the perfect time, and then hit the deadline like a professional. Because I am one.
If writing content for your business keeps falling to the bottom of your list, I can help you check it off with zero extra meetings required. My Copywriting-services | Work With Me
