Raphi Cohen is a Sleeping Lioness
"Meet The Character" - An interview series with the main characters from my novel The Source Of The Wind!
Hey everyone!
I’m so excited to reveal a new mini series called “Meet The Character”, where I interview the main characters from my upcoming novel “The Source of The Wind”!
First up, we have the main character, my heart and soul, Raphi Cohen.
So let’s get to know her!
Ella: Hey, am I speaking to Raphi?
Raphi: Umm, yes. This is she?
E: Hey, Raphi! This is Ella Capek, how are you?
R: Uh, I'm okay, I guess?
E: I’m glad to hear that! So I was thinking about asking you some questions, if you don't mind. Just so that readers can get to know you.
R: Uh, sorry, but I don't think I know who you are. If I do and I've forgotten - I'm really sorry. Have we met before?
E: Right, sorry. I should probably explain. This might be a little hard to believe, though.
R: Okay…?
E: So, it makes sense that you don't know me, and I shouldn't have expected you to. But I do know you. Actually, I know quite a lot about you. But I really hope that doesn't freak you out, although I would completely understand if it does. You see, you are the main character in a story I wrote. A novel. One I wrote as a way to heal and get my story out of me.
R: I see.
E: Yeah. (Pause) Have I scared you?
R: Oh, umm, no, not at all. It's… no, it's not scary. Do I find it weird and out of the blue? Sure. I mean - no. I mean, maybe?
E: Raphi, I know how strange and unnerving this may be, but I really do want the best for you. Actually, to prove it, I'll share with you what I was trying to heal myself from. I was trying to heal from a painful childhood with difficult situations I had experienced with my family. I was 25 when I first started working on your story. I had spent my whole childhood feeling alone and trapped in the dark and I was looking to process my feelings in a creative way, so that I could continue my healing journey.
R: I see. (Pause) I mean, I guess I can relate. Unfortunately.
E: I know.
R: I’m 24 and it sounds like we might have had similar experiences.
E: Yeah.
R: So - and I still find this a little weird if I'm honest - but, am I… you?
E: No, not exactly. We have many similarities, yes. We both had painful childhoods. We're both gay, British and Jewish. We both work with kids…
R: (smiles) You work with kids?
E: (smiles) Yeah.
R: As a nursery teacher?
E: Hey, I'm supposed to be asking you the questions, Raphi! (winks)
R: (chuckles) Right, sorry.
E: (laughs) I’m just teasing. I work as a music teacher, but I do work in many nurseries and I love it. They're cute, aren't they?
R: Oh my god, they're the cutest! They're so full of wonder and enthusiasm. You’d think you’d get bored with the same routine every day at work, but they're never boring! They're so sweet and smart and they say the funniest of things sometimes.
E: I know!
R: They're the best. I have the best job ever (laughs). Wait, so what are our differences?
E: Well… for one, I didn't stay in the UK. I'm actually half Israeli and I moved there with my Israeli mum when I was 14 years old.
R: Ah, I see. (Pause) Is your mum also… you know?
E: No. I'm fortunate that she's alive and well.
R: Right. (Pause) And your father?
E: I guess that's a similarity. He’s also not in the picture, but for different reasons than yours.
R: Right.
E: Yeah (pause). Hey - fourteen is the age you met Jeremiah! Do you want to talk a bit about him? What's your friendship like?
R: (chuckles) You know. How do you describe someone like Jeremiah?! (laughs).
E: (laughs)
R: He’s my best friend. We’ve been there for each other through thick and thin. He's brilliant, passionate, confident - he's everything I wish I could be.
E: Oh, I don't know, Raphi. I would argue that you're just as brilliant and secretly, very passionate yourself.
R: (chuckles) Thanks. I highly disagree. But, thanks. He’s definitely the person I feel the safest with.
E: Him and his family have always been a source of support for you.
R: Yeah. I'm not sure where I would be without them. I’m grateful to them beyond measure. It was through him and his family that I learned what a family could be.
E: I know. (pauses) I'm a little hesitant to ask… But do you want to talk a bit about your love life and how that’s going?
R: Umm, sure. So, I'm dating Georgia, we’ve been together for a while now, and we're doing well.
E: …
R: …
E: …
R: I guess I didn't hide it that well?
E: Yeah, sorry. I mean, I do know your story.
R: Yeah. (sigh) I don't know what's going on there. I love her and the start of our relationship was so good. We met at a Pride Parade in Brighton and it was a moment I won't ever forget. But it's just been really difficult, for a while now.
E: I know.
R: I don't think I want to get into it.
E: That's completely okay. Ready for the final question, then? It's a bit weird, but you can interpret it in any way you want.
R: Sure. I'm ready.
E: Cool. Do you believe in magic?
R: (laughs) I definitely wasn't expecting that!
E: (laughs). Yeah, I like to be a bit out of left field sometimes.
R: (chuckles). Hmm. I don't know if I believe in magic. I want to. I’d like to. I just don't think I do.
E: That's fair.
R: But who knows. I guess you never know.
E: That's what I like to think. You never know. (winks)
So, thank you to Raphi Cohen for agreeing to this interview. If you want to become an ARC reader for “The Source of The Wind”, you can click on the…
R: Actually, Ella, this might sound a little weird, but could I possibly ask you something, before we finish?
E: Sure! Anything you want.
R: Thanks. I just wanted to ask, about Georgia, or you know, about life in general… um, will things get better? Between us, and in general? Will my life always be this way? Will I always, you know… struggle? Sorry if that's a weird question to ask.
E: (pauses). Raphi, I promise you, you have a very good story, with amazing love in it. In many forms. You have absolutely no idea the heights you will reach, in every area of your life. I'm so proud of your courage, your strength, your passion and your perseverance. I can't wait for you to live it.
R: Okay. I guess I just have to wait. Thanks.
Thank you to Raphi Cohen for agreeing to this interview. If you want to become an ARC reader* for “The Source of The Wind”, you can click on the “Yes, please! :)” below! For more details, you can also click on this link.
*ARC reader = a reader who receives a free copy of the book, in exchange for an honest review.
Would you like to become one of my ARC readers? :)
If the answer is yes, I invite you to click the “Yes, please! :)” button to sign up!
If you know of someone who would love to read this novel for free and leave a review, please share with them this link. I can’t tell you how much I would appreciate it!
“The Source of The Wind” is available for pre-order everywhere in paperback & eBook!
If you’re interested in buying the book, click the button below to be taken to the directory of online bookshops and marketplaces, where you can pre-order your copy!
If you know of someone who would love to purchase a copy of this novel, please share with them this link. Thanks again! :)
Speak soon,
Love, Ella x
P.S. Want to read my interview with Raphi’s best friend Jeremiah Knight? Click on the post below!
*Image was created using Canva Pro. Background illustration was created by Anna Woodbine. Character illustration was created using OpenAI.
*I will always be honest about using AI if I do use it. If I ever choose to make this post available only for paid subscribers, I will hire an illustrator to create an original character and that image will replace the one that's currently in use. You can learn more about my thoughts and guiding principles on using AI in this post. My thoughts and guiding principles on using AI may change as I understand the topic better.
that's such a great idea to interview your book characters! I'm inspired to interview my past and future self! that'd be interesting!!