This is a made-up example, somewhat exaggerated, to illustrate the point, but I’ve seen this type of thing way too often.
ORIGINAL: Suddenly, he started to begin to realize that he noticed hearing the sound of raindrops thumping on the tin roof.
EDITED TO: Raindrops thumped on the tin roof.
EDITOR’S COMMENTS: Let’s start to begin to realize that you’re thinking about writing something people will want to read.
DISCUSSION: What are writing issues you’ve seen that irritate you the most? Or writing issues you find in your own work that make you think, “Why did I do that?”
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