There are some. I leave it to Linda Aronson to explain how they work, because I can’t fit it in a gif. Except this one.
And I get really down on writers starting out with big ambitions about complicated structure because, frankly, it’s hard enough to do one protagonist and one linear storyline to good effect.
It’s not bad advice necessarily because it’s bitter or cynical, it’s the kind of advice you get from Johnny Knoxville, who now has to pee through a catheter. You don’t want to actively encourage people to do things that you know from experience will erupt in their faces. It’s irresponsible.
But far be it from me to belittle any writer out of riding that dragon. It’s very hard to do with clarity, and best left until you are very comfortable with the form, but if that is you, and that is your story, don’t take anyone’s advice not to do it. It unleashes an enormous amount of creative energy and possibility.
There. Wear safety glasses.