The idea for Kracker Flats came while waiting for Hurricane Charley (2005) to strike New Port Richey, Florida. At the time, I was living in an upscale deed- restricted community---lots of stucco homes built among swampy cypress heads.
A country boy at heart, I questioned if my neighbors had the skill to survive, should they be isolated for a prolong period, like six months. How would they behave? How would they eat? They came across as unprepared and entitled. Jobs were plentiful, they'd never known hard times.
Then, I thought of the indigents (Krackers) nearby. They live near the coast in low-lying areas, packed in small homes and trailer parks. Much of there day was focused upon earning enough for beer money and cigarettes to last the weekend. It dawned upon me these indigents were survivors and would carry-on as before, scrounging. They were better prepared, capable of taking advantage of those not prepared, like were I lived.