Eriq La Salle on Writing Solomon, and Finding His Own Compassion in a Killer

“Solomon, I always envisioned him as the African version of Luca Brasi from The Godfather.”, Eriq La Salle

“Solomon, I always envisioned him as the African version of Luca Brasi from The Godfather.”, Eriq La Salle

Welcome Eriq La Salle:

We’re joined on the Starline by the actor and director who spent nine seasons on ER, directing your favorite shows and just published his most personal thriller yet, “Laws of Solomon”. We welcome Eriq La Salle.

Eriq, let’s go Beyond the Mic. As an author, it’s your job to get the reader invested in the main character’s journey. Why is Solomon’s road to peace necessary?

“Solomon kept his eyes closed until he finally mustered the strength to speak the two words that he never imagined having to say, even under such unimaginable circumstances. “I’m…I’m sorry.” Have you written your own compassion into Solomon?

The Rockin’ 8:

Laws of Solomon is the book, and Eriq La Salle joins us for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, first thought, no pressure. But you only have 10 words.

1. You’ve directed across pretty much the entire Dick Wolf universe at this point. Which character intrigues you the most?

2. You’ve said a villain who feels justified makes for the best storytelling. Which movie villain would you actually want to sit down and get to know?

3. What’s the one movie you’ll watch to the end, no matter where you pick it up?

4. What’s your favorite breed of dog?

5. Best UConn basketball game you’ve ever seen live?

6. You kicked off this book tour in Harlem, at Friendship Baptist Church. What went through you that day?

7. Three words that describe your friend Michael Beach?

8. What’s your biggest failure, and how did it change you, and Solomon’s journey?

Sneaking in A Couple More:

“Revenge was much more for the living than the dead.” Why do you believe in Solomon’s redemption, as well as for people in general?

Instant followup : do people want redemption? Why?

Have you found redemption?

You’ve said you might have undiagnosed ADHD, and that you write for people like you. How has the way you write changed from when you started to now?

So what are you working on now?

One Big Question:

Who is the forgotten character in your life?

The Wrap:

He’ll always watch The Godfather till the end, Michael Beach is loyal and he wants you to read his book “Laws of Solomon”. Eriq LaSalle, thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.

And that my friends is Beyond the Mic Short Cut.

Listen to other Beyond the Mic conversations with actors here.

Follow Eriq at his website here.