IMHO the most important factor is to make a hot fire.
this will allow a complete burn. Naturally seasoned wood is easier to get hot, so will burn cleaner easier.
if you see smoke coming out of your chimney, that generally indicates unburnt matter. it could mean water vapor as well.
smoke carries soot and creosote. both are unburnt wood matter. as you've heard a umpteen times can cause a chimney fire that can destroy your house. inspect/clean your chimney at least once a season and get a professional to clean.
I've always kept a hot fire in my fireplace and inspect my chimney at least twice a season. I'm now running an open burn design custom insert that I keep a HOT fire in.
I've never had to clean my chimney after 10+ years at my home. You also will not see much if any smoke coming out of my chimney except for a few minutes when fire is building up. then you only see a few wisps of smoke.