How to write a pattern?: a rough guide for first-time pattern authors

Pattern writing is a creative, iterative process. For new pattern authors, however, it is often not obvious where to start and how to proceed. Although well-written patterns typically follow a strict format, the number of available formats push first-time authors right at the start to choose a specific format without knowing its advantages and liabilities. Furthermore, new pattern authors are often not aware that the order in which a pattern is published typically is not the best order in which to write the pattern. Done the right way, writing a pattern often creates unforeseen insight into a domain one was sure to know very well. The pattern structure encourages you to think more deeply about the actual problem that the pattern solves and what consequences arise by applying the solution. And by following an iterative approach you gain new insights in each cycle. This paper aims at smoothing the learning curve of pattern writing by proposing a step-by-step guide that enables you to write a pattern in a simple but complete format. The goal is to enable you to submit your pattern to a pattern conference. The paper is divided into two parts. Part I is a warming-up. It presents the transcript of a conversation about a pattern and shows how knowledge of a fascinating solution slowly transforms into a pattern. Part II contains the actual step-by-step guide how to write a pattern.