You could try looking in the breeding/incubation forum for tons of info.
As far as the decreasing temps go, they need to be "cooled" before they are bred, because it is said to stimulate breeding behavior. It cools down in the wild, then they go off feed, the breed, and then spring time rolls around and it gradually starts warming up, and they start eating after the female lays her eggs, etc. No, the pair shouldn't live together. Period. They both need their own enclosures so they don't stress. If the female gets stressed while the eggs are forming inside her, she may become what is called "egg bound". (The eggs won't come out, and she could die). VERY bad, if you didn't notice. ANY way, there isn't much more I could say without writing my very own breeding book.
Oh, and don't just take one person's suggestions/advice. Do TONS of research. It isn't something to just jump into.
And have fun finding a breedable female this time of year. LOL..if you want to wait on the breeding for a couple years, buy a pair of baby ball pythons, and raise them up. It is VERY rewarding in the end.
Good luck.
Jennifer