An Interview with Jen Yates from Cake Wrecks

When cakes go horribly, hilariously wrong

When Jen Yates started keeping pictures of professionally made cakes that had gone ‘horribly, hilariously wrong' she had no idea that within a year, she would have a hit website on her hands, and plans for a book tour of North America. But Cake Wrecks is so much more than just photographs. Somehow, all human life is there, and with the addition of Jen's razor sharp captions, it is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry or ask ‘what the hell were they thinking?'

The Basics

1.    Name

Jen Yates

www.CakeWrecks.com

3.    Where do you live?

a.    Are you from there originally?

b.    Where else have you lived?

Orlando, Florida. I've lived here most of my life. I was born in Ohio, though, and I also lived in upstate New York for a year during high school.

4.    What is your living situation?

a.    Partner?

b.    Kids?

I've been married to my husband John for just over 11 years now. No kids, and no plans for any; our two cats are the only babies we need. ;)

5.    Job?

a.    How long?

b.    What other jobs have you had?

Right now my job is Cake Wrecks, although that kind of snuck up on me! I started the blog for fun, and certainly never imagined it would ever reach the level of popularity it has. John and I also own and operate a specialty painting company, which was my job before CW - and I suppose technically still is! Before that, I did a little of everything: retail, Jungle Cruise skipper at Disney, tech support, cash office clerk, etc.

The Tough Ones

1.    Summarize your entire life in 10 words or less.

I used to dream about writing. Now I do. Wheee!

2.    Tell us what your typical day is like currently.

My day is spent staring at a computer screen and trying desperately to be funny, eloquent, and witty. I'm happy to settle for just funny, though.

3.    Tell us about the person that has had the most profound impact on your life:

a.    During the last five years

b.    From the very beginning

My husband John, no question. Every day of our married life he's told me how proud he is of me. He supports my every choice, encourages my every dream, and helps me to laugh a little every day.

4.    What is the greatest trauma you have ever experienced in your life and how did that impact you?

About two years ago I was hospitalized for four days, thanks to an out-of-control adrenal system. I woke from a dead sleep with my heart racing, and it wouldn't slow down. Needless to say, I thought I was dying. When John & I got to the ER I was immediately rushed to the back and hooked up to all kinds of machines. No one knew what was wrong with me, and I was absolutely terrified. For five hours my heart rate stayed over 150. Then, even on medication, I had more ‘episodes' where my adrenal system would go berserk.

Since then it's been a long, tortuous process of figuring out what's wrong with me. I still have occasional episodes, which for convenience sake I call panic attacks. The effect on my life has been severe: from monitoring my health more closely to learning to live with the fear of the unknown, I know I'll never be the same as I was before that awful night. On the other hand, I've also learned to cherish life like never before: to celebrate every peaceful night's sleep, to laugh and share laughter as often as I can, and to consider all those who have so many more trials than I do, so that I can learn from their examples.

5.    What is the greatest joy or achievement you have ever experienced in your life and how did that impact you?

This probably won't sound like much, but I was actually really happy to turn 30. That's such a milestone - especially for us women - and I was proud of the things I'd accomplished up to that point, and excited to see what the future held. I'm 31 now, and I can honestly say that, health issues aside, I couldn't ask for a more blessed life.

6.    Let's pretend your life is a blank slate for 1 year - no partner, kids, job, baggage of any sort. You can reinvent yourself completely and take a year to do exactly what you want without any consequence to your current life. How would you spend that year?

I'd love to take a year to pursue nothing but creative outlets. I'd spend a few months painting/learning to paint, sewing/designing, upcycling junk I find on street corners, experimenting with outrageous hair colors, designing jewelry, creating some truly epic steampunk costumes... you get the idea. I'm sure I'd have to write, too, though: words have always been my first love.

7.    What (if anything) are you able to do better now than at any other time in your life?

I've probably never typed faster. Heh. And, I hope that I'm writing better than ever, too. Other than that? I'm better at meeting people for the first time. I find myself much more interested in those around me, and I think that's made me a better conversationalist.

Rapid Fire

What is your favorite: