A writing instrument including a hollow cylindrical barrel with a first segment that is connected to a second segment, a tip located at a first longitudinal end of the barrel, a cap connected to the second segment that covers a second longitudinal end of the barrel and includes a clip, an ink cartridge, a battery, a light emitting device, a first actuator to extend and retract the writing end of the ink cartridge, and a second actuator to activate or deactivate the light emitting device. The light emitting device is located in the tip, at the end of the clip, or within the segmented barrel. The light is directed towards a writing surface based on proximity or directional lighting whereby the location of the light emitting device directs the light to the writing surface from the clip or down the length of the barrel.

A stylus includes a casing comprising an opening, a push rod disposed in the casing, a pen head fixed on an end of the push rod, a reflector coupled to the push rod, and a linkage mechanism disposed in the casing. At least a part of the pen head is exposed of the casing. An end of the linkage mechanism is fixed on the casing. The linkage mechanism connects reflector to the push rod, such that when the pen head is pushed into the casing, a moving distance of the reflector is greater than that of the pen head, and the reflector is exposed of the opening.