I grew up in Florida...
One thing you must be made aware of is that Florida is a very odd place. In a good way, I think. Though, I might be biased. If you grew up in Florida around my era, I think there are only one of two outcomes. Either you came out very, very intelligent. Or No Child Left Behind left yo’ ass behind. We were tested OUT THE ASS. BAT, FL SAT, NRT, FCAT, PSAT, FSA, ACT, College Board SAT. Tests on tests on tests on tests. As I get older it only hits me now how many of those exams were thinly veiled IQ tests to be honest with you. To be a early 2000s Florida child was to be a test taking machine. They still test the kids heavily now from what I saw as a teacher in 2018-2021, but it was still NOTHING compared to what we were doing when I was in elementary and middle school.
I say all this to say, I have a theory that FL in the years 2000 to 2014 was the best environment for the person I am today. I feel like I owe FL something in return. Like I must honor it in some way. I hope my next book does Florida justice.