Ada Afam
For His Muse Only by Ada Afam
An Artist's Obsession. A Woman's Undoing.
How far would one go for self-expression?
Harlan McCandles is a master of color, a virtuoso of form. But beneath the art professor's facade lies a darker palette of history. When a married Patience Okoye steps into his world, she becomes Harlan's latest fixation. But as their lessons deepen, the compulsion to keep her under his thumb increases. Patience begins to notice strange habits, including a repetition of pet names he has for her. While with a stroke of a brush, Harlan slowly paints her life with manipulation and chaos. What will the final brush stroke reveal when simply being his inspiration doesn't suffice?
Dive into unsettling fiction: a twisted narrative of psychological power dynamics building to a thrilling conclusion. Follow Patience on her journey to escape Harlan's clutches and watch as the suspense bleeds through the pages.
In every story, there’s a pulse that resonates with its readers. For His Muse Only, authored by the talented Ada Afam, is no exception. Her debut novel is a psychological thriller-drama that weaves together themes of trauma, healing, identity, and the complex dynamics of relationships. It offers readers a deeply thought-provoking experience. Through this interview, Ada shares the inspirations, creative process, and personal connections behind her latest book. From the cautionary tale at its heart to the intricacies of its characters, Ada opens up about her journey as a writer and the profound messages she hopes will resonate with her readers.
Let’s explore the world behind the pages of For His Muse Only and discover the passions and perspectives that brought it to life.
What Inspired you to write For His Muse Only?
I wanted to share a cautionary tale about what can happen when someone doesn’t face their trauma and instead puts all their hope in someone deceitful, thinking that person will fix everything for them. But the truth is, you don’t have to become your mistakes. If you truly learn from them, you won’t just survive, you might actually thrive.
What message or emotion do you hope readers take away from the book?
When you don’t confront the inner demons that haunt you, toxic relationships can start to feel familiar, even comforting. The red flags? They'll just look like quirks. But healing begins when you stop searching for someone else to save you and start believing in your own strength. The moment you choose to face your pain instead of running from it, you open the door to something greater: an unwavering faith in yourself.
How did you decide on the title and cover design?
As for For His Muse Only, there are moments that mimic romantic undertones, but this is not a romantic story. The idea of possession, in the psychotic sense, came to mind, with Harlan being an art professor and his deceitful nature to entice and keep his muse to himself. Patience’s silhouette appears in the background, almost fully trapped within his work, as if she were meant to be his forever. But if you look closely, you’ll notice ripped openings… signs of her attempts to escape the confines of his art. It's eerie.
What’s next for you—any upcoming projects or ideas?
I plan to host Q&A sessions once a month on Discord for For His Muse Only, and the sequel is set to release sometime in late May or early June.
Is there a particular scene or chapter that holds special significance for you?
Not a particular moment, but certain little nuggets. When someone is in a potentially dangerous situation in a relationship… We often ask the unfortunate question: Why don’t they just leave? Watching Patience try to rationalize through the irrational might make you want to rip your hair out, but once you start to see the pattern behind her choices, I hope it brings a deeper understanding of why it’s not always so simple — and how those reasons can feel like a merciless weight that can keep a person trapped.
If you could cast your story as a movie, who would play your characters?
Looooove this question! Ayo Edebiri from The Bear! She is my only choice for Patience. I saw her in a psychological drama recently, and I believe she could portray the character beautifully. Oliver Jackson-Cohen from The Haunting of Hill House franchise and Evan Peters from American Horror Story were strong inspirations for Harlan, actually. They consistently play dark, complex roles that leave audiences stunned. And finally, casting Damson Idris from Snowfall as Obinna would be the sweet cherry on top!
Did the book evolve differently than you initially planned?
Based on feedback from others, it's not a traditional thriller. It also incorporates elements of drama due to the emotional depth that runs alongside it. So, I like to think of it as a psychological thriller-drama.
Is there an underlying emotional core to the story that you're especially proud of?
As a Nigerian American woman, culture is everything to me. Patience, who is also Nigerian American, becomes involved with someone who tries to strip her of that identity. The audience watches as she battles the challenges of biculturalism. I have a personal connection to this because of past experiences where I was similarly challenged by others.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
If you're struggling to figure out whether or not you're a writer, consider this: If you've had the same story sitting in your head for as long as you can remember, not just begging, but screaming to be let out, then you're a writer. If you can't help but stop what you're doing, finding any little thing to jot down ideas on scrap paper, napkins, or even cereal boxes, then you're a writer. If you're constantly daydreaming about the day you look up your name and see your own creation in a Google search, then what are you waiting for?
What do you enjoy most about interacting with your readers?
I love it when readers tell me which character resonated with them the most—like the times when they felt more like Patience or Obinna, and how they've needed a week to digest what they’ve read because it was such a powerful experience. The idea of my story making an impact on others… I wish that for every author.
Can you share something fun or interesting about where the story is set?
The story is set in Dallas and Denton, Texas. I just had to—it's my hometown, and I love it. I couldn’t imagine it being set anywhere else.
Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that inspires you?
Richard Bach "A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit." This is so true. Rewrites are essential. Tiring but essential. And it's only going to get better from here!
For His Muse Only is a testament to Ada’s ability to explore complex emotions and themes with authenticity and depth. Ada not only creates engaging narratives but also inspires meaningful conversations. With exciting projects on the horizon Ada Afam is undoubtedly a voice to watch for in the literary world. Thank you, Ada, for sharing your journey and letting us glimpse the heart behind your compelling work.
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed by Ada Afam in this interview are her own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this blog or its editor. We encourage readers to engage with the content thoughtfully and consider the perspectives shared as part of a broader discussion.
