Here's a few more suggestions:
- Read adventures and steal ideas. The Play by Post section is a great place for that and is where I've picked up lots of hints/GM tools and techniques and adventure ideas. It will help familiarize you with the mechanics.
Most of them are good but if you want to read ones that actually come to a conclusion, I'd read:
Enduring the Apocolypse by Sanctaphrax and;
Cradle of Darkness by Haru
Both are excellent and don't peeter out like most PbP's.
EDIT: those stories have spoilers from the series, if you haven't read all the books yet.
One thing that did occur might be starting on the middle of something relatively simple and building up from that... Mostly to get a feel for things.
That's a good idea. One of the first adventures I ever did, to get players familiar with the system, was make some pre-generated characters and I ran a quick one-off scenario. (this is pretty much what the Case Files do). If you don't use a Case File, I'd go a step further and start them off in the middle of a combat. Only tell them why they're fighting after the conflict is done.
It's a good way to get them invested - and it's fun!
After that, I let them either keep the characters or start new ones. After you've got the hang of it and If you're going to start a long-term campaign, don't skip City Creation - it's super important for getting characters invested.
The only bit that worries me is that this isn't always the most take-charge group. (yay gm jitters.)
Compels!
That's what compels are for. Each character has a set of Aspects/Catch Phrases, that you offer Fate Points to get them involved in the action and, generally, complicate their lives.
Your group will 'take charge' more if they've invested in the NPC's, locations and world, though. That's why I recommended City Creation. Their character aspects will be more connected to the city. You then compel those aspects to get your players into the action.
- Lastly, Read this board.
Lots of useful questions get asked and there's consensus on many issues. Some issues have no consensus, but there's usually a variety of ways of dealing with the situation. You'll get useful tips and find ways of dealing with problems that best suit your style. It'll clear up many questions you may have.
Feel free to post any questions you may have as well.