[quote=@Zeldabit]is there anything I absolutely need to know about starting my own thread in this style of role-play?[/quote]

Yes. Don't do it.

If you have never participated in an NRP before, I [i]highly[/i] recommend joining one before starting your own. GMing an NRP is a different monster entirely, well beyond the normal "GMing is a huge hassle". It is essential that you have experience being on the other side, the side of the players, first.