Don't worry you'll get past the problem, start by trying MILD more while falling asleep. I get up after 4 hours when I WBTB. I rarely remember the dreams before I WBTB, only after. In my experience a half hour is too much, I stay up for less than 5 mins because I have to stay in sleepy mode or it doesn't work as well, while Im awake I usually do some type of meditation, like staring at one point or breath counting.

edit. When you MILD you can use your own sentence like "I will obtain and maintain lucid dreams tonights.", you have to program your brain to believe it is possible.