Does a mod have to move my thread from WIP to Focused Critique? Or can I start my own thread in the Focused Critique?
Nope, You can start your own. Focused Critique is good for projects that you think are done but you want to get peoples opinions on it before finishing up.
Okay. Thank you Nfollmer! 
The only thing you can’t do is start a thread in the Gallery, make your thread a sticky, or lock a thread. The mods handle that. Everything else is fair game.