Yes, I'm doing the same thing, I have a notebook next to my bed, every time I wake up I write down a few key notes to help me remember my dreams in the morning.
Once I get up I update my digital dream journal using the notes I took during the night.

I'm not really sure how to explain this, but I feel like most of my lucid dreams are quite vivid.
I often note this in a dream, like "wow, this room is so colorful" then I look around and test my senses and realize that the dream is very vivid.
I remember this after waking up, but I do not remember how the room "felt like". I remember taking a mental note that it was colorful, but I cannot bring the image of the room back to my mind.
I don't know, maybe I'm trying too hard and too soon, I'm quite happy with the progress I've made thus far.

I'll try the glass of apple juice before going to bed though, sounds like an easy thing to try

Cheers,
Hyu