--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A story is like a machine with numerous…" description: "\"“A story is like a machine with numerous gears: it should contain no gear that doesn't turn something”\" — John Gardner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/john-gardner-3092_computers_a-story-is-like-a-machine-with-numerous_2579551.jpg" --- # A story is like a machine with numerous gears: it should… ![“A story is like a machine with numerous gears: it should contain no gear that doesn't turn something” quote by John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/john-gardner-3092_computers_a-story-is-like-a-machine-with-numerous_2579551.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/john-gardner-3092_computers_a-story-is-like-a-machine-with-numerous_2579551.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/john-gardner-3092_computers_a-story-is-like-a-machine-with-numerous_2579551.jpg) > ““A story is like a machine with numerous gears: it should contain no gear that doesn't turn something”” [John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gardner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A well‑crafted story must have every element serving a purpose, like gears that all move the machine. **In simple terms:** Every part of a story should be functional. Key Takeaway Eliminate unnecessary details. Themes storytelling craft purpose Mood analytical reflective Type literary instructional When to use this quote - novel writing - screenwriting - editing - plot development Key Concepts narrative structure functionalism Questions to Reflect On - Which part of your story feels superfluous? - How does each scene advance the theme? A Different Perspective A story can feel over‑engineered if too many elements compete for attention. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Contain Gear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contain-gear-1765382/) [Gear Doesn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gear-doesn-1765381/) [Gears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gears/) [Gears Contain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gears-contain-1765380/) [Numerous Gears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/numerous-gears-1765379/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“owning cool or expensive BDSM gear doesn’t necessarily make him a good Top,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-makai/owning-cool-or-expensive-bdsm-gear-doesn-t-necessarily-make-him-a/) [Michael Makai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-makai/) > [What the gears cannot do the computer might. The computer is the Proteus of machines. 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