my $code = sub {
    # for a better way, see Tanktalus' post below
    my ($self, $value) = @_;
    $self->{$attname} = $value if defined $value;
    return $self->{$attname};
  };
    
  no strict 'refs';
  *{$attname} = $code; # put it into symbol table
  use strict 'refs';

  return $self->$code(@params);
  # or: goto &$AUTOLOAD;