Debian packaging has a lot of features that aren't required or needed for every package, and there are typically two or more ways to do most things.
If you are working with upstream source, learn the basics of packaging then learn how to use git-based packaging. I had to redo all of my repositories once I learned about packaging with git. pristine-tar is the way to go, if you want to be consistent with most of the quilt format packaging that I've run into.
Good luck!