Where can I begin sorting through my dreams?

Around midsummer, my dreams began changing and I’d like opinions on how to go about interpreting them, remembering them more clearly, engaging myself in them, waking up well-rested and keeping my dignity through it all.
For example, there are occasions I injure myself while dreaming: I’ve woken during the course of a dream with bruises down my thigh or my fingernails gashing my arm open. Worst of all, I can never remember the accompanying dream.
Also, I have been dreaming about the same person every night for almost two months and would like to examine this further.

My questions for you are,

-What is the best way to explore your own dream life?
-What tips can you give me for lucidity? Clarity? Ability to remember?
-What do you know about the examples I have given?