 What event or experience had the strongest impact on Williamson's literary style?
The imitation found great favor from the readership and almost instantly Jack Williamson became an important name on the contents page of AMAZING STORIES . Both of these stories were close copies of A. Merritt, whose style and method Jack Williamson parlayed into popularity for eight years. It is especially important because it stylistically forecast a later trend to accept the background for granted, regardless of the quantity of wonders, and proceed with the story. His heroes were invariably strong, fearless, resourceful fellows, who could handle a club on equal terms with a cave-man, or call science to aid them in defending a beautiful mate from the terrors of a desolate wilderness.
 Reading books by some of the most illustrious science fiction authors as a child and adolescent
 Reading books by some of the most illustrious science fiction authors as a child and adolescent  Watching his father make sacrifices to provide for him, his mother, and younger siblings  Growing up with little protection from exposure to the suffering from the elements  Not having the same access to innovative, life-saving technology in his formative years