"Real Suspense" and Why I'm a Pantser

Yesterday, I struggled with my writing for the day and berated myself yet again for being a pantser and not a plotter.  Then I remembered that I DO have options. I COULD become a plotter.  Except that I also remembered that I've tried that before, numerous times, and it didn't work so well for me

I topped off my remembering with the recollection that one of the editors I'm hoping to invite for an SCBWI event teaches a much lauded Master Class on Plot. She must know something that could help me. So I hightailed it to Cheryl Klein's website where I found this post.

The entire thing is brilliant, and I highly suggest reading it, but this quote, from John Gardner (The Art Of Fiction) struck me in particular:

This hit me right in the truth bone. That's exactly why I'm a pantser not a plotter. When I get deep into the head and world of my character the story moves forward inevitably.  When I hit a snag and feel stuck it's usually because I've lost that deep connection and resorted to inserting one damn thing after another.

After this epiphany, I went back to my WIP and examined it.  I took out a couple of damn things and I was on my way!

Are you a pantser or a plotter? Have you tried the opposite method? How did it work out for you?