Elaine by Cor Smuts is a dark and atmospheric horror novel that blends supernatural mystery, science fiction and survival horror into a tense and increasingly unsettling story. Set around a remote forest and an experimental energy project gone catastrophically wrong, the novel throws Elaine into a terrifying fight for survival against strange creatures and forces she barely understands. There is plenty of suspense, graphic horror and action, while Elaine herself develops into a determined and resourceful protagonist as the story progresses. The book does take some unexpected turns, moving from an intimate character-driven opening into something much larger and more fantastical, but this adds an intriguing sense of scale to the story. A suitably creepy and imaginative debut that should appeal to readers who enjoy their horror with plenty of action, mystery and a touch of science fiction.
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Anonymous Reader
The story throws Elaine into a terrifying situation in an isolated cabin in the woods. What is it about remote places that makes them such an effective setting for horror?
Horror works best when there is a sense of isolation and of being trapped, slowly building dread. Being alone in a forest by day can be serene, but at night, without weapons, shelter, or anyone nearby to help, it creates both isolation and claustrophobia, making you dread every noise you hear with no idea which way is safe, even if you know where you are.
The creatures in Elaine are mysterious, fast, and distinctly unsettling. What inspired you to create them, and how did you develop the details that would make them frightening to readers?
Many predators, and even non-predators, are dangerous to humans, but something about reptiles makes them more terrifying; maybe it is the dead-eyed stare. For that reason, I wanted to go with large reptiles, but even crocodiles and Komodo dragons are slow, mostly because their legs are set to the side. They can run you down over short distances or catch you off guard, but if you put distance between you and them, you can easily outrun them. That is why I combined massive lizards with sturdy legs beneath them instead of to the sides, making them much faster and more agile.
Halloween is a time when we deliberately seek out things that scare us. What do you think it is about horror that makes us enjoy being frightened, and what were you hoping readers would experience while reading Elaine?
I think horror provides a unique experience for everyone, with some people limiting it to times like Halloween or horror movie night, while others will actively seek it out any chance they get. The common factor is the genuine fear and the chance to overcome danger while staying safe and able to stop at any time.
I wanted readers to go on an emotional journey with her as she tries to survive and make it to morning, feeling the same fear, dread, and relief she feels along the way.
Elaine has to rely on her intelligence and sheer willpower to survive. What attracted you to writing a protagonist who has to face such an overwhelming threat largely on her own?
Horror usually polarises female characters to extremes: either damsels in distress or so tough and capable that it feels like she was never in any danger. So, to answer the 'largely on her own' part of the question, I wanted a capable but realistic character who can think and do things for herself while still needing and appreciating help and who is distinctly aware of her own limitations and vulnerability.
There are elements of the supernatural in Elaine that remain mysterious to the reader. How do you approach the balance between explaining the frightening things in a story and leaving some of them to the reader's imagination?
Real life is unpredictable and confusing. Even when events have an explanation afterwards, it is never complete or definite. If you ask ten people what happened during a well-documented event, you will probably get 10 different explanations. Some differences will be small, but you will end up with a few very distinct explanations.
Even with all the advancements we have made in science, not everything is explained, and you will have multiple theories based on the same data set.
I write with the goal of bringing that same sense of realism where most of the story gets explained, but some of it remains mysterious or confounding.
If you found yourself alone in Elaine's cabin on Halloween night, with the creatures gathering outside, what do you think you would do — and what do you think Elaine would make of your survival strategy?
My sense of direction is almost non-existent, so I'd hide inside the cabin until dawn. If there is nowhere inside the cabin to hide, I would try to hide behind the stilts of the cabin and hope the creatures cannot sense me or get underneath. Alternatively, I might wait until the creatures are out of sight and I can no longer hear them, then head down the road to the ranger cabin.
I am not sure what Elaine would think, but I would like to think she wouldn't be judgmental and would realise that luck plays a big part in which decision keeps you alive.
When you were writing the darker and more frightening moments in Elaine, what did you find most interesting about creating a sense of fear and suspense for the reader?
Seeing things from the reader’s perspective was a challenge, and most of the time I went with what felt right, creating the scene in my mind and then trying to recreate it on the page with as much detail as possible. Then I had to step back and look at it from a different perspective, deciding whether the scene was too much or not enough and whether the reader would experience it the way I intended.
Looking back on Elaine now, what do you hope stays with readers after they have finished the story? And is there anything you think they might take away from it you didn't initially expect?
After reading some of the feedback I received, I realised the book can be seen as a motivational story about overcoming emotional demons and the value of not giving up, even in the face of overwhelming odds, though each reader's experience will differ.
If nothing else, I hope every reader enjoys the story and that the atmosphere the book created is the first thing that comes to mind when they think back on it.
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