Childhood memories strongly influence our writing style and our ability to tell stories as adults. Some talented authors draw more inspiration from their more difficult childhood experiences, like Tennessee Williams. Tennessee Williams' childhood was plagued by disease, addiction, and ignorance. The many challenges he faced during his childhood allowed him to develop his creativity and pushed him to become a descriptive and influential playwright. Some of Williams' most haunting memories inspired his greatest literary works: The Glass Menagerie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and A Streetcar Named Desire. Looking at Williams's young life, it is evident that his later writings were influenced by his difficult childhood. At the age of five, Williams began his journey down a rough path. At this young age, Williams was diagnosed with Bright's disease (79 gross). The disease paralyzed his legs for two years, making him unable to be with other children. This long period of inactivity had permanent effects on his mental development. Despite the negative effects, the disease allowed Williams to discover his love for storytelling. Being confined to his bedroom, Williams entertained himself by using his imagination. He began to imagine elaborate stories (each had different characters, costumes, and settings) (Hayman 2). It was then that Williams discovered his exceptional ability to create stories. He began sharing his stories with Rose, his sister and only friend (12). Williams and Rose had a very close relationship. As they were both trapped in the dark complications of the adult world, they looked to each other for acceptance and comfort. Williams' father was an alcoholic and very abusive (physically and verbally... middle of paper...). ...throughout Williams' works, there are common themes: the failures of family structure, the failures of fathers, broken promises, and personal failure (250). These same themes had poisoned Williams' life, but through them he found inspiration. Through his creativity and passion, he created astonishing literary works Williams put his heart and soul into his writings and exposed much of himself in his works. Williams died in 1983, but lives on in each of his works. He Will Never Be Forgotten A to Z: An Encyclopedia of His Life and Work. Kansas City, Mo. Andrews & McMeel, 1995. Print. Gross, Robert, A Casebook: Tennessee Williams New York,. NY. Routledge, 2002.Print.Hayman, Ronald Tennessee Williams: Everyone Else is an Audience. Connecticut. Yale University Press, 1993. Print.