Clean everything including the solder. Apply a paste flux sparingly to
the outside of the pipe, first 1/8" inside of the fitting, and a little
on the solder. Secure the pipe to avoid movement.

Why sparingly? Why only the first 1/8" of the fitting.

Rule of thumb, with normal 1/8" solder you will use the same length of
solder as the circumference of the pipe. Make a bend in the solder at
that point.

That seems reasonable.
I simply let solder melt in until it starts coming out the other side.
While maybe a little wasteful and homely with the resulting globs; it ought
to be adequate. No?

Preheat the pipe
concentrating at edge of the fitting and keep the torch moving. When the
pipe is hot enough to melt the solder move the torch on too the
fitting.

That is contrary to everything I have ever heard, ie, that the pipe should
not be directly heated; only the fitting should be heated.

Do you keept the torch on the fitting until you are done?