Consider Olga Nicolaev, One of My Original Characters
So, who is Olga Nicolaev?
For Mettle to work, Eleanor Braverman (an Alzheimer’s patient) had to have a caregiver. Because just letting her loose wouldn’t work. And because tying down Noah wouldn’t serve the plot. Enter Olga.
Where Did Olga Nicolaev Come From?
So you see, I had to have her. Because creating a character with Alzheimer’s means creating a caregiver for that character. But like a lot of other immigrants, I wanted Olga to have a higher education than her speech might indicate.
Therefore, when I was first writing her and getting her accent down, I wanted her to be a lot more articulate than that—in Russian. It’s … like this.
The Past is Prologue — Backstory for Olga Nicolaev
A lawyer in Russia, Olga can’t pass the bar in the US. So, instead, she becomes a caregiver for geriatric patients. However, it doesn’t help that her English isn’t the best. Olga regularly skips shorter words.
However, she’s not dumb. It’s because she’s just impatient with how hard it is for her to express herself in English.
Description
I like Russian actress Larisa Luppian for Olga. But I didn’t want someone who would pretend to be Russian—I wanted an actress who really is Russian.
Purpose/Theme/Motivation
Olga’s initial purpose is simply to be the one to take care of Eleanor. Because I needed her! But toward the end (and I’m getting into spoiler territory here), her arguments save the day.
And all this from the least articulate character in the book!
Quotes {First, Eleanor and Olga are talking}
“Steven?”
“Not here.”
Dez and Noah returned with firewood. “We got some from going past the school and up near the post office. Somebody used a chainsaw, we figure. There were piles of it and more if we want it but a lot of it’s wet.”
“Can we put stuff in your garage?” asked Dez. “Maybe let it dry out in there?”
“Sure. We’ll just move the lawn mower and stuff.”
“Who is this boy?” Eleanor asked.
“I’m Douglas, ma’am. Here, I’ll build your fire back up again.”
“People do that for a living? I should get my purse.”
“That’s okay, ma’am.” Dez added pinecones and sticks before heaving a big log onto the fire. “I’m a volunteer.”
“You’re a good boy. Are you at college with my Noah?”
“Not yet, ma’am.” Dez got up. “Looks like you’re all set for a while. Noah, you coming?”
“Sure, just a sec.” He beckoned Olga. “Come with me a sec, could you please?”
“Yes. I be right back. You play cards with Dez, or he read you. We have Secret Garden for next book.” She followed Noah into the kitchen. “Well?”
“I don’t know how to say this. But Olga, you didn’t have to do any of this. You never had to stay. It’s been a few months, but you have been right here, as if,” he started to cry a little, “as if Ma were your mother, too. And, and I know I don’t say it enough but, fuck it, thank you. Thank you so much for, for everything. You’ve been fantastic and you went above and beyond a long, long time ago.” He clumsily wiped his face. “I don’t know what we’d all do without you.”
Olga awkwardly patted his arm. “She not patient no more. You not employer no more. You family.”
Relationships
Everyone in Mettle has some sort of a relationship with everyone else. But these are Olga’s two biggest relationships.
Olga and Eleanor
But what is any caregiver’s relationship with a patient? Because Eleanor is essentially helpless, Olga does just about everything for her. And this even includes sleeping in the same room. She is so devoted a caregiver that she is essentially on call 24/7.
When the power goes out, Olga doesn’t always tell Eleanor the full truth about what’s going on. But how can she? And, more importantly, why should she?
But telling Eleanor everything is really just a way to upset the patient. And that is something that Olga is loath to do.
Olga and Noah
Also, what is any employee’s relationship with their employer? Everyone calls her Olga. But she calls Noah ‘Mr. Braverman’, and she call Eleanor ‘Mrs. Braverman’. So, this is somewhat comparable to Caribbean caregivers calling my late mother ‘Miss Shirley’.
Conflict and Turning Point
Olga’s turning point is similar to the other characters in Mettle. But for her, it’s also a way to suddenly become the articulate, sharp friend she has really always been. But it was just English that got in the way.
Continuity/Easter Eggs
So, Olga doesn’t have any continuity with any other storylines.
Future Plans
She will definitely show up in the prequel.
Olga Nicolaev: Takeaways
Originally just a convenient plot device, Olga has a purpose. Because without her, the story wouldn’t end like it does. She is a truly necessary part of Mettle.
Olga Nicolaev — an essential part of Mettle.
Want More of Mettle?
If Mettle resonates with you, then check out my other articles about how changes in the periodic table nearly kill us all.