You were pretty close.

1) Yes. SP is not required to do a WILD, as you might end up getting SP at the same time as you enter the dream.

2) I would say it differs. I don't even enter SP before I enter the dream, it happens at the same time. I know I'm not alone in that.

3) I'm afraid I don't have any good suggestions because going into SP feels different from person to person. Try not to focus on how your body feel, but focus on what you see instead. That might work.