I have combined ideas before, actually--usually works out for the best, if not always. What I like about outlining so far is it's easier to see the potential plot holes and work out how to fix them, before getting all tangled up in the prose.

As for Soulless--eh, the plot is great, but I'm not that sold on most of the characters, to be honest. Professor Lyall is pretty cool, but I could take or leave everyone else. And the incessantly verbose style is a bit grating. I don't really need to know every detail about each character's gloves, hats, shoes, bustles and hats every time they make a costume change. But then again, I'm sparse on description myself, so. *shrug* It's okay, but I don't see myself continuing with the series.