Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes was well-known for his incisive and potent books that frequently examined the intricacies of Latin American culture. Fuentes' focus on mental preparation prior to writing is a noteworthy feature of his writing process.

Fuentes felt that before writing anything down, he should first mentally build his books, giving careful thought to the themes, characters, and general organization. This method was similar to mentally creating a comprehensive house plan before laying the first brick. By doing this, Fuentes made sure that he had already faced many of the difficulties that come with writing a novel when he finally sat down to write.

This mental preparation was essential to Fuentes because it freed him from the initial confusion and chaos of a blank page, allowing him to concentrate on the craft of storytelling. Athletes who mentally practice their moves before taking the field are more likely to act with confidence when the time comes.

This approach emphasizes Fuentes' conviction that the imagination is a powerful tool for preparation and creativity, showing that great works frequently start with in-depth contemplation and mental exploration rather than with a pen and paper.