When I present my how-to writer's manifesto on Sunday it will be a very minor skirmish in a clash of titans. Noam Chomsky and his crew believe that the brain developed in consequence to language and that linguistics have been the driving force in human development. So, it would only make perfect sense for the fantasy writer's world to eclipse the how-to world of the hand. Frank Wilson and many of the other hand guys (and gals) think that the brain developed in step-by-step harmony with the concurrent development of the hand.

No doubt, the Chomskyites will win hands down on Sunday. How can you argue with poets? They really don't care what they're saying as long as it sounds good and brings applause.

But Sunday, I will state my case, with some humor and forbearance. It is a first shot in a long process. And anyway, Noam Chomsky won't be there.