Are y'all ready for Friday? It's gonna be a big day. Or at least an emotional one. For me, anyway. I'm not ready for Friday. I've realized this week that I was just never going to be ready for this Friday. ^_^
Rain, all characters and all other aspects of the story are copyright material belonging to me.
Me too. Although, once Rain is finished I plan to do a complete re-read of the entire series so I won't be missing Rain just yet.
I'm not sure when I first discovered Rain. I think it was on Deviant Art. And was probably at least 6 years ago. I've done several re-reads over the years.
The two new series look like they will be every bit as much fun to read as Rain was.
My niece learned "Thank you", but her parents kind of forgot about the "You're welcome" follow-up. When we introduced the latter, she kept thinking we were trying to correct her, so she'd respond with "No, thank you!" Poor girl knew she was supposed to be thanking, not welcoming!
Honestly? While it's not impossible, I suppose it is fair to say they would've had to, uh... get to work pretty quickly. I guess I just like to think he and his wife realized they'd found "the one" very soon after meeting and excitedly started that family. XD
It helps that Lydia has a summer birthday, so she could be one of the oldest kids in the class. Even if there's a full year between Lydia and Tiffany's birthdays, that still means Colin and his wife went from meeting for the first time (in late February) to "I'm pregnant and this is awesome" within like 10-12 months at most. Far from impossible, but I think this theory technically puts Lydia in kindergarten not first grade, so never mind '^.^
Tiffany would basically have to be an extremely unplanned pregnancy. That’s what I thought, which is why they got married so quick! Plenty of people do stuff like that, so it isn’t unheard of.
Like so many others, I want to say how much "Rain" has meant to me throughout the years. I was fortunate enough to discover it very early on and it has been an important part of my life ever since. I've turned many people on to it as well, and every one of them loves it. Before you came along, honest and sympathetic portrayals of LGBTQ+ people (especially trans people, who include both me and my son) were few and far between. Liriel's journey here has been at times sad, at times hilarious, and at times poignant...but it has always, through everything, been real.
(OK, I am excepting the crazy high number of out or semi-out LGBTQ+ kids at a conservative Catholic school, but whatever.)
I can't believe this will be done after Friday. (Actually, based on nothing at all, I want to hold onto hope that maybe, down the line, you might revisit these characters as they grow in real time.) (Pleeeeeeeeease????)
I'm looking forward to reading your other works, but I will miss this one desperately. Thank you so much for what you have done over the years.
Hmmm... Did Collin figure out why our protagonist seems so familiar while Lydia was over telling Tiffany? I wonder if there's more to this scene than can be discussed on one page...
I was wondering, is there a reason why Rain still speaks in italics? I had always thought it was to show her not being as skilled with um, how do I say this... speaking in a feminine voice (?) as Jessica and that she would grow out of it.
To be fair, if it's solely for familiarity's sake then I totally get it. It's become something of unique quirk of hers and it's kind of nice how it's still around even in universe she should be much better with her voice (just guessing, idk how long voice training takes.)
EDIT: huh, I'm pretty sure I wanted to make this a separate comment and not a reply.
Well, the italics are intended to denote that she's changing her voice when she speaks. As someone who was never fully able change my voice myself - and training longer than she has, even post-timeskip - while I can produce a good feminine sound, I still have to concentrate really hard while I speak or it will quickly dip back down. I've known trans women being able to permanently change it (to where it's hard to go back to their original voice) but that's not something I've been able to achieve, personally. And so I wanted to replicate that for Rain. In her case, the italics in her speech are meant to depict a constant effort to maintain the sound she wants.
Again, as someone who struggles with my voice, I just wanted to include a little something to represent the other trans gals struggling with their voices (as best I can in a non-verbal medium).
Anyway, as for how long it takes to learn, it's variable from person to person. Some might nail it in just a few months. Others - like me - might train for years and still have trouble. It's not anyone's fault, nor does it mean the struggle can't be conquered eventually; people just learn and grow at different paces. ^_^
Is there a name or slang for trans people speaking in their gender’s voice? Can it be helped by external means like hormones, devices, surgeries etc. or is the degree one can do mostly related to experience/skill/talent etc.?
"Is there a name or slang for trans people speaking in their gender’s voice?"
I confess if there is such a word, I don't know it. I feel like most of the time, I'll basically just hear someone say, "I'm getting better at my girl voice." But I don't think there's a word specific for the person saying this.
"Can it be helped by external means like hormones, devices, surgeries etc. or is the degree one can do mostly related to experience/skill/talent etc.?"
To my understanding, testosterone will change voices for trans men, but unfortunately, no hormones will change a trans woman's voice.
And while there is a surgery that can change one's voice, I've heard the risk is high and the success is inconsistent (that said, I only know one person who's been through it personally, and she had great results, so of course, mileage may vary). I don't blame anyone for going for it, though, especially if their voice is one of their big dysphoria triggers.
testosterone causes the lengthening of the vocal cords and the enlargement of cartilage in the throat, so it causes the voice to deepen as when the vocal cords are longer, they adjust to a lower pitch. estrogen on the other hand does nothing to the vocal cords.
My son's voice went from high soprano to baritone when he started on hormones. My own? I worked hard to change it and succeeded to the extent that no one ever questions it anymore, even on the phone...though it still doesn't satisfy me. (What can I say? I'm a perfectionist.) One thing though: after nearly a quarter of a century (24 years on my birthday, June 2), I can't find my old voice even if I try. :-)
While I'm not entirely sure I'm trans, I had done some voice training a couple years ago to try and sound less masculine. Admittedly I didn't do much of it beyond the absolute basics, making the struggle nowhere near comparable but yeah, dropping down to a what technically would have been my "normal" is something that I've noticed happens when I'm frustrated or angry even.
Jocelyn, thank you for taking us on this journey. It's made me... pretty much exactly as I was before, more's the pity. But with people left and right declaring that this comic's meant the world to them, I wanted to add a thank-you from those of us who just like Rain for being a good webcomic. :P
I don't know if I'll stay for Sunlight Loiterers and MIS. Through no fault of theirs - not all stories are for everyone. If not, then all the best to you and your present and upcoming readers.
I really hope firday isn't the last page. I get all good things need to end but I love this comic and am going though a hard time right now and RAIN is helping so much.
If it helps, you can always talk to me <3 I've been reading your webcomic for a long time, and I know we've talked a little. I'd love to help you out with anything if I can.
This doesn't feel like one more page is The End, just that it'll be the start of the last bit and the first shot of everyone together. I hope?!? I'm going to miss this comic so much.
If tomorrow is the start of the End, then I hope the series finishes at one of Rudy’s drag shows. It feels like a missed opportunity to not have Rudy perform in one.
If tomorrow IS the last page that would be a funny coincidence since I just had my surgery today and started my transition around the time the comic began and have been reading it from the very start too.
Hi, Jocelyn. I don't know if I have ever messaged you before through any means. I am not a "conventional fan" of your comic. I'm 54 years old, started transition at 40, and Rain has been a big part of my transition experience. I attended parochial schools in elementary and jr high, and I guarantee there was no way I could have been as bold as your characters.
I have schizoaffective disorder and have been on disability and homebound since 1996. Rain gave me something to look forward to several times a week. I have waited with heavy anticipation through Rain's twists, turns, ups, and downs, and have worried over your various real-life challenges.
Thank you for making me a part of this world, and helping me escape my own for a little while at a time. I assure you I will be following your future projects, and only wish my disability checks covered enough of my living expenses that I could buy the Rain books.
I am both sad that the series is coming to an end, and happy to know that the characters I have come to love are leading fulfilling lives and finding the happiness I never dreamed could come to a person when I was their age.
Is Friday the last strip?
I'm not sure when I first discovered Rain. I think it was on Deviant Art. And was probably at least 6 years ago. I've done several re-reads over the years.
The two new series look like they will be every bit as much fun to read as Rain was.
Thank you Jocelyn.
looks like we are almost at the forever hiatus
Honestly? While it's not impossible, I suppose it is fair to say they would've had to, uh... get to work pretty quickly. I guess I just like to think he and his wife realized they'd found "the one" very soon after meeting and excitedly started that family. XD
I'm not ready for this story to end
@Jocelyn
Thank you so much for this story
I found it 10 years ago as a newly cracked egg at 25
I'm now almost 3 years on HRT and have been out and proud for a decade
This comic helped me come out and become the woman I am now
Every interaction I've had with you in comments or direct messages has been wonderful and informative.
Thank you ❤️
With love
Your Rainbeau Jamie Tiffany K
Like so many others, I want to say how much "Rain" has meant to me throughout the years. I was fortunate enough to discover it very early on and it has been an important part of my life ever since. I've turned many people on to it as well, and every one of them loves it. Before you came along, honest and sympathetic portrayals of LGBTQ+ people (especially trans people, who include both me and my son) were few and far between. Liriel's journey here has been at times sad, at times hilarious, and at times poignant...but it has always, through everything, been real.
(OK, I am excepting the crazy high number of out or semi-out LGBTQ+ kids at a conservative Catholic school, but whatever.)
I can't believe this will be done after Friday. (Actually, based on nothing at all, I want to hold onto hope that maybe, down the line, you might revisit these characters as they grow in real time.) (Pleeeeeeeeease????)
I'm looking forward to reading your other works, but I will miss this one desperately. Thank you so much for what you have done over the years.
Karen
To be fair, if it's solely for familiarity's sake then I totally get it. It's become something of unique quirk of hers and it's kind of nice how it's still around even in universe she should be much better with her voice (just guessing, idk how long voice training takes.)
EDIT: huh, I'm pretty sure I wanted to make this a separate comment and not a reply.
Well, the italics are intended to denote that she's changing her voice when she speaks. As someone who was never fully able change my voice myself - and training longer than she has, even post-timeskip - while I can produce a good feminine sound, I still have to concentrate really hard while I speak or it will quickly dip back down. I've known trans women being able to permanently change it (to where it's hard to go back to their original voice) but that's not something I've been able to achieve, personally. And so I wanted to replicate that for Rain. In her case, the italics in her speech are meant to depict a constant effort to maintain the sound she wants.
Again, as someone who struggles with my voice, I just wanted to include a little something to represent the other trans gals struggling with their voices (as best I can in a non-verbal medium).
Anyway, as for how long it takes to learn, it's variable from person to person. Some might nail it in just a few months. Others - like me - might train for years and still have trouble. It's not anyone's fault, nor does it mean the struggle can't be conquered eventually; people just learn and grow at different paces. ^_^
Is there a name or slang for trans people speaking in their gender’s voice? Can it be helped by external means like hormones, devices, surgeries etc. or is the degree one can do mostly related to experience/skill/talent etc.?
"Is there a name or slang for trans people speaking in their gender’s voice?"
I confess if there is such a word, I don't know it. I feel like most of the time, I'll basically just hear someone say, "I'm getting better at my girl voice." But I don't think there's a word specific for the person saying this.
"Can it be helped by external means like hormones, devices, surgeries etc. or is the degree one can do mostly related to experience/skill/talent etc.?"
To my understanding, testosterone will change voices for trans men, but unfortunately, no hormones will change a trans woman's voice.
And while there is a surgery that can change one's voice, I've heard the risk is high and the success is inconsistent (that said, I only know one person who's been through it personally, and she had great results, so of course, mileage may vary). I don't blame anyone for going for it, though, especially if their voice is one of their big dysphoria triggers.
Thank you for answering. It seems unusual that hormones can help give a masculine voice but not the other way around.
While I'm not entirely sure I'm trans, I had done some voice training a couple years ago to try and sound less masculine. Admittedly I didn't do much of it beyond the absolute basics, making the struggle nowhere near comparable but yeah, dropping down to a what technically would have been my "normal" is something that I've noticed happens when I'm frustrated or angry even.
I don't know if I'll stay for Sunlight Loiterers and MIS. Through no fault of theirs - not all stories are for everyone. If not, then all the best to you and your present and upcoming readers.
I am not ready for Friday either, but hopefully by the time this ends, I'll be on the start of my own art <3
Oh! Congratulations! That's wonderful news! ^_^
I have schizoaffective disorder and have been on disability and homebound since 1996. Rain gave me something to look forward to several times a week. I have waited with heavy anticipation through Rain's twists, turns, ups, and downs, and have worried over your various real-life challenges.
Thank you for making me a part of this world, and helping me escape my own for a little while at a time. I assure you I will be following your future projects, and only wish my disability checks covered enough of my living expenses that I could buy the Rain books.
I am both sad that the series is coming to an end, and happy to know that the characters I have come to love are leading fulfilling lives and finding the happiness I never dreamed could come to a person when I was their age.
Be well, and thank you again!
B~