Ratna Damayanti Taha, a 44-year-old stay-at-home mother from Singapore, spent three hours each morning writing her debut novel, 'Mind The Gap.' The story follows Nora, a Malay girl navigating her identity amidst the expansion of Singapore's MRT system. The novel won the 2026 Epigram Books Fiction Prize, which includes a S$25,000 cash award and a publishing contract. Ratna's passion for storytelling was nurtured by her father's improvised bedtime stories and supportive teachers who encouraged her creative pursuits. Her writing journey faced challenges, including the loss of her father in 2023, which temporarily halted her creative process. However, she found the strength to continue writing, ultimately leading to her novel's success. Ratna aims to provide representation for Malay voices in literature, hoping her work resonates with readers and contributes to a broader understanding of diverse experiences in Singapore. 'Mind The Gap' is set to be released in July 2026 and will be available in several Southeast Asian countries.