I cannot say how strongly I object to people using other people’s writing as research. Research is non-fiction, especially for horror, fantasy, science fiction. Do not take your research from other people’s fiction. Just don’t. – Laurell K. Hamilton
Writing is writing, and stories are stories. Perhaps the only true genres are fiction and non-fiction. And even there, who can be sure? – Tanith Lee
When you read different fiction you do observe their theories of how things work, especially assumptions and original theories about fictional ideas (like vampires – whether they need blood and why or why not). It is tempting to apply some other fiction writer’s theory to your own fiction. Especially when the idea was really good, unique and explained a lot of loose ends. But, it is best to deal with facts as your research and work on keeping the fiction all your own work.