I've noticed that for me the best way to get that control/consciousness is to go to sleep with a very particular goal in mind. That way, as soon as I realize I am dreaming I think of that goal and everything else fades. All that is important to me is doing that goal, and it doesn't matter if King Kong had just been chasing me or whatever, I end up with a clean slate to start my lucid dream on. That way there are no other distractions...at least for a while.