Well when I write sometimes reading other books tends to mess up my thought process, and when it's about the same thing, I often struggle with trying to keep from stealing someone else's ideas, if that makes sense?
If it helps you I don't see why not, as long as you make sure not to copy someone else's ideas--sometimes you'll come up with a really cool thought and when you go back and read it it's like "aw man, that's not mine".
What do I know, I'm just a 13-year-old who has at least 15 unfinished stories but I at least thought I'd try to help since no one's answered yet and I hope this somewhat helps. Good luck on your story!