Using -Ing words in writing

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If you're concerned that you're using too many, then after you're done your first draft, go back and search for any -ing words. Replace them at least half the time. So: I couldn’t help thinking to myself, who is this woman on the phone? And if it’s not Burns’ mother then why does she want to speak with Burns? Monica’s purse rattled again and I walked back out to the living room to find her sitting down. She took out what I believed was a handheld tape recorder. “Oops,” she said, and placed the item back in her purse. Your -ing verbs are continuous action; your -ed verbs are completed actions. Consider where you can finish an action and change those.