Bookpleasures.com is delighted to host James D. Bell, the accomplished author behindBeeBop: The Honeybee WannabeeHero.

Widely recognized for hisacclaimed and bestselling work, Vampire Defense, James bringsmuch experience to the literary world.

 His distinguished careeras a retired County, Circuit, and Chancery Judge in Mississippi,marked by numerous accolades, includes the remarkable achievement ofbeing the youngest trial judge in state history. James’s novels areinfused with authenticity, drawing inspiration from his involvementin some of the state’s most significant legal cases.

 Beyond his legal prowess,James’s diverse background, as the son of an American Indian motherand a prominent local businessman, adds a unique dimension to thetapestry of his storytelling.

His narratives are notonly shaped by his professional experiences but also by his richheritage. Devoted to his wife, Joanne, and residing near CrystalSprings, Mississippi, James leads a vibrant personal life thatcomplements his impressive literary accomplishments.

With four childrencompleting his cherished family, James D. Bell’s interview promisesto provide a fascinating glimpse into the life and mind of thismultifaceted author.

Norm: Good day, James,and thanks for participating in our interview.

What inspired you totransition from writing legal thrillers to children’s literaturewith BeeBop: The Honeybee Wannabee Hero? How did it differfrom your usual writing of legal thrillers?

James:  Thank you,Norm, I am honored to be with you.  My inspiration starts withmy wife.  I mention a topic I would like to write about, and ifit inspires her, she sets goals for me. 

She’s a gentile butpersistent task master.  Several years ago, we were doing a booksigning at a small, independent bookstore. 

The owner said she neededmore children’s books.  I started thinking about the stories Iused to tell my kids.  They expected a different story everynight.  

My children were alwayscharacters in the stories, accomplishing great deeds with bravery,wit and humility.

Norm: The openingprologue of BeeBop recounts the tragic demise of an entire beecolony. What motivated you to start the story on such an emotionalnote?

James:  Being adoptedand the drive to be accepted and prove your worth versus bullying andrejection are some of the competing themes in BeeBop. 

An entire hive was wipedout, save one little bee just hatching.  A committee ofconcerned bees discuss what to do about him and decide to submit thequestion to the Queen and let her decide.

Norm: How did youdevelop the title of your book, BeeBop: The Honeybee WannabeeHero?

James:  BeeBop wasone of the nicknames for my daughter.  Here, the bee is male,but usually, the BeeBop in my stories was female. 

Since the story involvesbees, BeeBop was an easy title selection.

Norm: How did yourbackground as a County, Circuit, and Chancery Judge influence thethemes of resilience, honesty, integrity, and forgiveness in BeeBop’scharacter and the overall narrative?

James:  Every day Ihear stories of injustice done to others and tragedies that would nothave occurred, if all of us made a practice of dealing with oneanother with honesty, integrity, and forgiveness. 

As for resilience anddetermination, these traits are necessary to accomplish any worthygoal.  These are virtues I want the young reader to experienceand aspire to as they read the story.

Norm: Can you share aspecific moment or scene in the book that was particularlychallenging or rewarding for you to write and why?

James:  Buzz askingfor and receiving forgiveness is one of my favorite scenes.   Ialso loved BeeBop choosing to put the welfare of his adopted hiveabove his own welfare.

Norm: BeeBop’sjourney involves facing prejudice, a monstrous bully bee, and doubtfrom his hive mates. Was there a personal experience or real-lifeinspiration that influenced these challenges in the story?

James:  As children,all of us experienced bullying when were in school.  Mostbullies grow out of it, but a few continue into adulthood. BeeBop shows us how we might deal with being bullied and shows us howwrong a bully can be about his victim.

Norm: The character ofBeeBop is described as having a lovable yet slightly awkwarddemeanor. How did you approach creating a character that childrencould relate to on a personal level?

James:  It helpsremembering what it was like to be a kid.  There are so manyawkward moments when meeting new friends, or being too shy to meetnew friends. 

When we are being taughtnew skills, a few catch on quickly.  That makes the rest of usfeel less worthy.  We think everyone notices our mistakes. 

We don’t realizeeveryone else is too busy trying to deal with their own mistakes tospend much time pointing out ours.

Norm: BeeBop addressesthe pressing issue of bullying. Why did you tackle this theme, andwhat message do you hope young readers will take away from it?

James:  Bullying is areal, everyday experience for children.  It makes us feelunaccepted, afraid, angry, and unworthy.  We experienceinjustice. 

I want this story toresonate with both the victim and the bully.  I hope the readerwho has been a victim of bullying will see in BeeBop thatperseverance can overcome anything, including bullying. 

I hope a reader who hasbeen a bully can see his own actions as unjust and unworthy, and thatthe victim of his bullying could instead be his best friend.    

Norm: The narrative ofBeeBop involves an adventurous mission to snag precious nectar. Didyou draw inspiration from any real-life adventures or experiencescrafting this part of the story?

James:  Actually, Iinterviewed BettyBee and BeeBop.  I just retold the story usingtheir words.   

Norm: The bookconcludes with a Parent and Teacher’s Guide, providing insightsinto the significance of bees and incorporating fun facts.

How do you see thisguide enhancing the educational and enjoyable aspects of the book forreaders?

James:  This was mywife’s idea.  She wanted a story that both inspires andeducates.  We think BeeBop does both.  It provides youngreaders with real facts to go along with an inspirational story. 

BeeBop encourages thereader to dream great dreams and do great deeds.

Norm: Where can ourreaders learn more about you and BeeBop: The Honeybee WannabeeHero?

James:  BeeBop isavailable on Amazon.  Any day now there will be a website, whichI believe will be BeeBoptheHoneyBeeWannabee.com, with moreinformation. 

In the meantime, you cancheck out the websites of my other books, Maximilianstreasure.comor vampiredefense.com.

Norm: As we concludethis interview, your legal career and experiences in Mississippi arehighlighted as sources of inspiration for your novels.

How did your personalbackground, being the son of an American Indian mother and aprominent local businessman, contribute to the tapestry ofstorytelling in BeeBop?

James:  Mississippi,in some ways among the poorest of states, is rich in culturalinspiration.  Everyone has a story to tell and a song to singand the food is both a story and a song. 

The next great Americannovel walks through my office door every day.  I just can’twrite the stories fast enough.  Story telling incorporatinganimals and nature was a gift from my mother’s side of the family. 

My father stressed keepingpromises and completing tasks.   He would be pleased that Ihave finished a few stories but would expect me to write many more.

Norm: Thanks once again and good luck with all of your endeavors

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