--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The key to a great story is not who, or…" description: "\"The key to a great story is not who, or what, or when, but why.\" — Jonathan Pryce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a0/jonathan-pryce-17461_dream_the-key-to-a-great-story-is-not-who-or-w_2715257.jpg" --- # The key to a great story is not who, or what, or when, but… ![“The key to a great story is not who, or what, or when, but why.” quote by Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a0/jonathan-pryce-17461_dream_the-key-to-a-great-story-is-not-who-or-w_2715257.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a0/jonathan-pryce-17461_dream_the-key-to-a-great-story-is-not-who-or-w_2715257.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a0/jonathan-pryce-17461_dream_the-key-to-a-great-story-is-not-who-or-w_2715257.jpg) > “The key to a great story is not who, or what, or when, but why.” [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The essence of storytelling lies in its purpose, not just its characters or plot details **In simple terms:** Stories matter because of their underlying why Key Takeaway Identify the purpose behind your narrative Themes storytelling purpose meaning Mood inquisitive reflective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - writing workshops - film pitches - educational talks Key Concepts narrative theory psychology of stories Questions to Reflect On - What drives the core message of your story? - How does purpose shape audience connection? A Different Perspective A compelling why may be hard to articulate clearly ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Great Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-story/) [Key Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/key-great-2840250/) [Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keys/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) ## Related quotes > [“Education is the key to great opportunities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/education-is-the-key-to-great-opportunities/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Great story how many more times you going to tell it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/great-story-how-many-more-times-you-going-to-tell-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scripture is, at its heart, the great story that we sing in order not just to learn it with our heads but to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright-2/scripture-is-at-its-heart-the-great-story-that-we-sing-in-order-not/) [N. T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright-2/) > [Every great story deserves a great ending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-nolan/every-great-story-deserves-a-great-ending/) [Christopher Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-nolan/) > ['Junkhearts' is a great story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyega/junkhearts-is-a-great-story/) [John Boyega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyega/) > [You know there's some great folks, great story telling at 'Dateline,' and I'm glad to be a part of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/you-know-there-s-some-great-folks-great-story-telling-at-dateline-and/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [You know its going to be a great story when it starts off with, So this BITCH...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-verma/you-know-its-going-to-be-a-great-story-when-it-starts-off-with-so/) [Amit Verma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-verma/) > [“I can forgive almost any crime if a great story is left in its wake.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/i-can-forgive-almost-any-crime-if-a-great-story-is-left-in-its-wake/) [Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/) > [If I ever come across a great story I wouldn't mind co-producing a web show or a miniseries on TV.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prachi-desai/if-i-ever-come-across-a-great-story-i-wouldn-t-mind-co-producing-a/) [Prachi Desai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prachi-desai/) > [Every great story seems to begin with a snake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/every-great-story-seems-to-begin-with-a-snake/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [You might not have the biggest budget or resources or cast, but if you have a great story, people will latch onto it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-whannell/you-might-not-have-the-biggest-budget-or-resources-or-cast-but-if-you/) [Leigh Whannell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-whannell/) > [Every great love starts with a great story...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/every-great-love-starts-with-a-great-story/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [You know it's gonna be a great story when it starts off with, 'So this b\*tch...'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-know-it-s-gonna-be-a-great-story-when-it-starts-off-with-so-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you have a great story, any film will work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-madhavan/if-you-have-a-great-story-any-film-will-work/) [R. Madhavan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-madhavan/) > [We are our choices. Build yourself a great story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-bezos/we-are-our-choices-build-yourself-a-great-story/) [Jeff Bezos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-bezos/) ## More by Jonathan Pryce > [Hamlet' is a real ensemble piece: you have to realise that he's just one part of the story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/hamlet-is-a-real-ensemble-piece-you-have-to-realise-that-he-s-just/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [Even a good decision if made for the wrong reasons can be a wrong decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/even-a-good-decision-if-made-for-the-wrong-reasons-can-be-a-wrong/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I treasure my friends but not my possessions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-treasure-my-friends-but-not-my-possessions/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I've never had therapy. Maybe the work is the therapy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-ve-never-had-therapy-maybe-the-work-is-the-therapy/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I have just enough public appreciation to make me happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-have-just-enough-public-appreciation-to-make-me-happy/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I'll read a book every now and then, but unlike most of my friends I don't always have one on the go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-ll-read-a-book-every-now-and-then-but-unlike-most-of-my-friends-i/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I live a very ordinary life. The rare awards ceremonies I go to are quite fun, because I can enjoy the irony of one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-live-a-very-ordinary-life-the-rare-awards-ceremonies-i-go-to-are/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [Sometimes I just want to laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/sometimes-i-just-want-to-laugh/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I can tell stories to other actors about the level of aggression on stage in the '70s between actors - it was unbelievable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-can-tell-stories-to-other-actors-about-the-level-of-aggression-on/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [What's great about being an actor is you meet people and form a relationship very quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/what-s-great-about-being-an-actor-is-you-meet-people-and-form-a/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [Oddly enough, I'm not religious but I'm also very fond of St Peter's in Rome. When I'm there, I always know there's a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/oddly-enough-i-m-not-religious-but-i-m-also-very-fond-of-st-peter-s/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > ['Macbeth' sags in act four - the England scene with Malcolm and Macduff just doesn't work theatrically. But with 'Hamlet,' although the play is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/macbeth-sags-in-act-four-the-england-scene-with-malcolm-and-macduff/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I made a sofa that is constantly being updated the more people sit on it, or sit through it, or don't sit on it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-made-a-sofa-that-is-constantly-being-updated-the-more-people-sit-on/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [It was easy for me to play someone with a massive ego. It's actually really fun to have the freedom to be that person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/it-was-easy-for-me-to-play-someone-with-a-massive-ego-it-s-actually/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [People sometimes ask me why I did this or that project. I say, 'Well, they asked me.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/people-sometimes-ask-me-why-i-did-this-or-that-project-i-say-well/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) [Explore all 37 Jonathan Pryce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) ## More Dream quotes > [“Once we become sensitive to dreams, we discover that every dynamic in a dream is manifesting itself in some way in our practical lives”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-johnson/once-we-become-sensitive-to-dreams-we-discover-that-every-dynamic-in/) [Robert A. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-johnson/) > [A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;It's loveliness increase;it will never pass into nothingness;but still will keep a bower quiet for us,and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/a-thing-of-beauty-is-a-joy-for-ever-it-s-loveliness-increase-it-will/) [John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [“Not that it matters, when you dream, there's no outside or in. Your mind is an unimaginable bloom. A willow catkin as big as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-shapero/not-that-it-matters-when-you-dream-there-s-no-outside-or-in-your-mind/) [Rich Shapero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-shapero/) > [Academically, I was never that interested. I skipped classes. My biggest dream was to have a coffee shop, but I had no idea how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-espinosa/academically-i-was-never-that-interested-i-skipped-classes-my-biggest/) [Daniel Espinosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-espinosa/) > [“As dreams are the healing songs from the wilderness of our unconscious - So wild animals, wild plants, wild landscapes are the healing dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-pendell/as-dreams-are-the-healing-songs-from-the-wilderness-of-our/) [Dale Pendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-pendell/) > [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/) [Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/) > [“Doing the work to transform your dreams into reality is like walking across the earth. It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/) [Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/) > [As far as Im concerned, I didnt dream - ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-sturgeon/as-far-as-im-concerned-i-didnt-dream-ever/) [Theodore Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-sturgeon/) > [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I guess, it's a father's dream for his daughter to be known around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-soberano/i-guess-it-s-a-father-s-dream-for-his-daughter-to-be-known-around-the/) [Liza Soberano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-soberano/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Sometimes life seems like a dream, especially when I look down and see that I forgot to put on my pants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/sometimes-life-seems-like-a-dream-especially-when-i-look-down-and-see/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [“I had a dream. I had an awesome dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-i-had-an-awesome-dream/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“His dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/his-dream-must-have-seemed-so-close-that-he-could-hardly-fail-to/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) [Browse all 26,527 Dream quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The key to a great story is not who, or what, or when, but why.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jonathan Pryce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/the-key-to-a-great-story-is-not-who-or-what-or-when-but-why/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dream" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/the-key-to-a-great-story-is-not-who-or-what-or-when-but-why/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a0/jonathan-pryce-17461_dream_the-key-to-a-great-story-is-not-who-or-w_2715257.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a0/jonathan-pryce-17461_dream_the-key-to-a-great-story-is-not-who-or-w_2715257.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a0/jonathan-pryce-17461_dream_the-key-to-a-great-story-is-not-who-or-w_2715257.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The key to a great story is not who, or what, or when, but why.” — Jonathan Pryce", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jonathan Pryce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The key to a great story...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/the-key-to-a-great-story-is-not-who-or-what-or-when-but-why/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/the-key-to-a-great-story-is-not-who-or-what-or-when-but-why/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```