Welcome to DV! If you have alot of nightmares I have two suggestions for you. First off you should try to look at them differently. See them as amazing experiences, be curious about it or just feel like they would make up for great stories you can tell others. Secondly you should tell yourself to RC whenever you're really scared. Nightmares can be used as a great dream sign and whenever you get lucid during one, you just vanquish the scary things, change the scenery or wake up.

I also suggest you read the tutorials DV Tutorials - Lucid Dreaming - Dream Views and check out DILD, MILD, DEILD and WILD in particular. Try them all out and see which one fits you, then you're on your way!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask here or send a PM.