I'm just wondering exactly how in depth everyone else goes in on the setting to their stories. The setting I am currently working on, an Urban Fantasy sort of thing, is about the most detailed setting I've ever really come up with, and at the moment, I'm not quite sure about any of the over-arching plot points or even characters, beyond a vague idea of the main character.

Also, at what point do you consider an idea an homage to an influence of yours, versus outright ripping the thing off?