My first time reading over this website was last night... and what i read is something that ive wanted to do for years control my dream.. but before i start i would like some questions to be answered

When you first start doing reality checks about how long does it take you to experience your first lucid dream? (DILD)

Do you really need to wake yourself during the night or does it only help?

and last.. Is a dream Journal neccesary if you already have good dream recall?