After cancer treatment, Juliet Wittman imagined a comic novel

Juliet Wittman is an investigative reporter, theater critic and University of Colorado writing instructor. She has published a critically praised novel with food at its heart, “Stocker’s Kitchen,” along with short stories and essays, and has won several journalism awards. Her memoir, “Breast Cancer Journal: A Century of Petals,” won the Colorado Book Award and was named a finalist for the National Book Award. Wittman also received a True West Award as Person of the Year, given for Denver arts coverage.

SunLit: Tell us this book’s backstory. What inspired you to write it? Where did the story/theme originate?

Juliet Wittman: I was treated for breast cancer many years ago and the year of treatment — surgery, chemo, radiation — changed everything at the…