First lucid dream!

Two nights ago, I had my first lucid dream that lasted more than a few seconds. Here's what happened:
It is summertime and I am on the deck, my mom doing gardening nearby. I suddenly realize I am dreaming, maybe because of the warmth, I don't know. I think about what I should do, I didn't have a plan. I decide just to examine the world around me, and I realize several things. 1) My mom is wearing a short sleeved orange shirt. 2) I think about what just happened in the dream. 3) The world seems SO real it is uncanny. 4) I remember the basic task of the month, to read a book title. I turn around, and a binder is sitting there. I read the title on it, but it is too long, and I think I won't be able to remember it, so I find a different book. This one is a notebook. It has two words in the title, but unfortunately I can't remember them, either. Right after this, I forget I am dreaming.
(I'm so lazy I just copied and pasted from my DJ)
Anyways, I just wanted to share. No, it didn't occur after WBTB or any other techniques. I've been working on LDing for a little over 3 months now, and this got me really excited! If you have any suggestions for me, please share!

Really nice experience!

I remember one dream that felt realistic. It's great!

Wish you more in the future.

Congrats! My only suggestion is to keep training yourself to have lucids and you shall have more. :goodjob:

Thank you so much! I have been trying as hard as ever to induce another LD. During RC's, I've been imagining what it would feel like if I'm in a dream, and it actually feels really cool, even though it is real life.

congratulations!

Wonderful news annabeau :woohoo::D
- keep up your practice/enthusiasm and enjoy!

Congratulations to your success! and even without a wbtb! well done ;)
remember this dream good and visualize it before bed. remember how it felt to get lucid and the feeling you had etc. Lucid dreaming is easy and you saw it yourself now there is no "technique" needed just your intention and a clear mind. YOU and YOUR intention, effort and work did this not a technique or someone else :)
alot more lucids will come and with every one (or 10) it gets easier and easier.

since you asked for suggestions:
-incubate a goal or maybe even two to choose from. visualize how you want to achieve it. it doesnt has to be step by step but have a plan for your lucid. this has multiple benefits:
+you are more focused and dont loose lucidity that fast because you have a goal in mind and not just run around looking and get distracted.
+ you are more motivated to get lucid because you have an aim with it and not just an diffuse wish "to get lucid".
+it makes you think more about dreaming ;)
--> it doesnt have to be something extraordinary. try flying or approach a DC and start a conversation or let him show or give you something.

-next time you get lucid and remember this: take some time to just stop do a loooong nosepinch and breath thru the closed nose. say to yourself you are dreaming no matter what you experienced in this dream to that point is not relevant (e.g. you dont have to find the can opener first or go to the toilet or clean that stain "before" you can enjoy your lucid)
+this stopping and clearing your mind raises your awareness, therefore you stay lucid for a longer period of time and are more "you"
+while doing this your goals will pop up into your mind
+when you wake up from a lucid with high awareness you wont have much problems recall the lucid or remembering a book title for example ;)

Great news! DILDs are always so fun to have! :D

My advice is the same as RelaxAndDream's - just take the time to become present in the dream by stabilizing, doing RCs and increasing vividness, since these can significantly prolong the LD and increase awareness. It's not always easy to remember to do this, so as he said "practice" it in your mind, for example if you do RCs in waking life, think about how you would do them in a dream (even a lucid one).

Thanks for the great advice! I will be sure to try them out next time I have an LD, hopefully tonite! And Spock, the RC idea seems to be pretty helpful and intersting.