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.