Commas seem to be where writers get the most confused. Often writers use them as though they are a breath in a spoken sentence. Knowing when to take a comma out can make a sentence punchier and keep the flow of the scene tighter.
For example:
The cat ran outside, and into the shed, to escape the dog, who badly wanted to eat him.
Lots of commas. Try this:
The cat ran outside and into the shed to escape the dog, who badly wanted to eat him.
