“Startling” word puzzle is simple

Try this at scrabble parties. Ask players to remove from the nine letter word Startling just one letter to make another valid English word. Then from the new word repat this step seven more times till they get it down to one a letter word.

See who can do it or who is the first to get the result.
Here is the answer commencing with the word
1. Startling
2. Starling
3. Staring
4. String
5. Sting
6. Sing
7. Sin
8. in
9. I