The secret diary of- a slightly controversial historical figure

Since I was about 14, I've been fascinated with the Spanish conquest of Mexico, and particularly with Malinalli Tenepal, a slave girl traded by the Chontal Mayans to Cortes when the Spanish landed in modern-day Tabasco, Mexico.

I think that part of the fascination was because I was 14 when I heard about her, coincidentally, she was 14 when she was given to the Spanish, and also I was reading the Royal Diaries series, fictional diaries of real noblewomen and royals. So since I learned that she was very likely literate (she was originally the daughter of a nobleman) I've thought on-and-off that I'd like to write The Secret Diary of Malinalli Tenepal. The problem is that she's a little controversial, because some people think she was a traitor. How should I handle this? And is this something anyone would want to read? NOTE: I'm not doing this for a while before finishing Cuba Libre.

edited 30th Dec '12 12:21:00 AM by MorwenEdhelwen

of course, that's not actually going to be its title, just describing the plot.

edited 30th Dec '12 12:24:02 AM by MorwenEdhelwen

Seems like a decent idea to me. Just try to present her as fairly sympathetic. She would've had reasons for the choices she makes, and she likely would've had concerns about whether the choices she was making were the right ones. So show an inner struggle going on.

As long as people feel like it would be the actual diary of a real, complex person, tbhey'll enjoy it.

@tiamatty: Thanks.