Some of the writers locked out of their film and tv jobs by the Hollywood union strike are working on children’s books for a more personal creative outlet. Steven Zeitchik reports:

“It’s kind of a nice way to do something creative at a time when we’re having a hard time doing our bread-and-butter work,” said David N. Weiss, a “Shrek 2” and “Rugrats” writer who recently turned in a first draft of “Carl the Frog,” about a cannibalistic amphibian. . . .

The writers are realistic about the financial rewards of a children’s book . . .

“I don’t think anyone thinks they’re going to make a lot of money on it,” Weiss said. “But creatively and emotionally, the chance to work on something that’s personal without the presence of a massive corporation is special right now.”