You've been writing since you were young? Er...aren't you still in junior high?
Anyway, you need to learn basic scripting. Nothing complex, but variables and $DEST at the very least will open up so many possibilities and save you so much time and effort it's insane to ignore them. I didn't know the first thing about programming when I joined and still don't, but the system here is super simple, and even if you have trouble memorizing the two or three things you really need, you can basically ask someone for an example of the more common things you'll know you'll be wanting to do, and then copy and paste them as often as needed while just plugging in new text. I do the same thing with on-page variables.
As for plot, I'd say in any story you need to give the character some impetus to get out and do something, or let them start with some aim or goal in mind so the story doesn't just meander around, though there's nothing wrong with that being something small in the beginning. It's not like you have to show all your cards and reveal what the major conflict they're headed for is all on the first page. A story with multiple, completely different paths all with their own branches is ambitious enough that I hope you know what you're getting into there.
You could always take the 'Direct Goal' approach and see how it gets along, and then once you're done if you're not burnt out and feel it needs more, just make that particular plotline represent one major path and add as many more as you like.